CHAPTER V 



FIRST WEEK IN FEBRUARY 



INDOORS we have long since enjoyed the fragrance of 

 the Chinese joss flower (one of the tazzetta group of 

 narcissi), and the later-flowering varieties of the poly- 

 anthus narcissus are now in full beauty in the house, 

 blossoming to perfection in a bowl of shingle and charcoal, 

 kept thoroughly moist with tepid water. These arrange- 

 ments of daffodils are highly decorative, as well as full of 

 rich fragrance, making " sunshine in a shady place " with 

 their richly-tinted blossoms. 



The polyanthus narcissus, Her Majesty, is surely the 

 queen of all that group of narcissi ; the bulbs are 

 large, and well they may be, for they are packed full of 

 exquisite blossoms in creamy white, with apricot cups, 

 which, when grown in a bowl, make a delightful decora- 

 tion for the room, filling it, too, with fragrance. All the 

 polyanthus section of the narcissus (including the sacred 

 lily of China) do well in a bowl of gravel and water, with a 

 handful of charcoal in small lumps intermixed ; but too 

 often these arrangements are 4 not well managed, the result 

 being long, weakly foliage, and flowers which cannot hold 

 up their heads, and flop about accordingly. 



After placing the bulbs in the bowl in September, half- 

 covered with gravel and charcoal, the bowl should be half- 

 filled with water, and then placed in a dark but airy place 

 for about six weeks, until the green points of growth begin 

 to move. A cupboard (unless the door be left open) is not 

 a good place for them, for air is essential, or mildew may 

 appear ; and it must not be forgotten that the water will 



43 D 



