The First Daffodil 



JHE year is full of joyful emotions and surprises to the 

 flower lover and grower, but of all the sensations that 

 a garden brings there is none quite like the joy of seeing one's 

 first daffodil for the first time. Daffodil growers are ad- 

 mittedly " daft " ; roses, dahlias, carnations and stocks all have 

 their devotees, but none have their lovers in such complete 

 subjection as the daffodil. The real daffodil-slave grudges 

 no time or thought or money given to his darling; it is all 

 poured out lavishly for the very best cause. 



But, though the old admirer runs through the gamut of 

 delicious sensations every season, he never again experiences 

 just the same thrill as he felt when his first daffodil opened 

 her golden glory to the world. And, though the old grower 

 can count his treasures by the score, the latest comer has one 

 gem which he can never know again. 



From the moment the little jagged crack runs across the 

 brown earth, and the tiny green spear shows its tip, the excite- 

 ment begins. Every morning the garden bed is carefully 

 scanned for more cracks, and the sight of each fresh tip gives 

 a new thrill. Every day the height of the first little spear is 

 noted ,and calculations are made as to how long it will be 

 before it is really " up." The days are no longer marked as 

 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, but as " the day when the 



