98 THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



attempted on such soils. We must not court failure, and however 

 freely in some soils Narcissi grow in turf, there is no law clearer than 

 that all plants will not grow in any one soil, and it is a mercy, too, 

 for if all soils were alike, we should find gardens far more monotonous 

 than they are now. Gardening is an art dealing with living things, 

 and we cannot place these with as little thought as those who arrange 

 shells, or coins, or plates. At the same time we may be mistaken as 

 to failures which now and then arise from other causes than the soil. 

 I planted years ago some Bayonne Daffodils on the northern slope of 

 a poor field, and thought the plants had perished, as so little was seen 

 of them after the first year. Despairing of the slope, it was planted 

 with Alder, a tree that grows in any cool soil. Years afterwards, 

 walking one day through the Alder, I found the Bayonne Daffodil in 

 perfect bloom. The roots had doubtless been weak and taken time 

 to recover. 



Ten years ago I planted many thousands of Narcissi in the grass, 

 never doubting that I should succeed with them, but not expect- 

 ing I should succeed nearly so well. They have 

 Narcissi in turf, thriven admirably, bloomed well and regularly ; 

 the flowers are large and handsome, and in most 

 cases have not diminished in size. In open rich, heavy bottoms, 

 along hedgerows, banks, in quiet open loamy fields, in every 

 position they have been tried. They are delightful seen near at hand, 

 and also effective in the picture. The leaves ripen, disappear before 

 mowing time, and do not in any way interfere with the farming. The 

 harrowing and rolling of the fields in the spring hurt the leaves a 

 little, but the plants are free from this near wood walks, by grass 

 walks and open copses and lawns which abound in so many English 

 country places. 



The fine distant effect of Narcissi in groups in the grass should 

 not be forgotten. It is distinct from their effect in gardens, and it is 

 most charming to see them reflect, as it were, the glory of the spring 

 sun. It is not only their effect near at hand that charms us, but as 

 we walk about we may see them in the distance in varying lights, 

 sometimes through and beyond the leafless woods or copses. And 

 there is nothing we have to fear in this charming work save the 

 common sin overdoing. To scatter Narcissi equally over the grass 

 everywhere is to destroy all chance of repose, of relief, and of seeing 

 them in the ways in which they often arrange themselves. It is 

 almost as easy to plant in pretty ways as in ugly ways if we take the 

 trouble to think of it. There are hints to be gathered from the way 

 wild plants arrange themselves, and even from the sky. Often a small 

 cloud passing in the sky will give a very good form for a group, and 

 be instructive even in being closer and more solid towards its centre, 



