My Garden in Spring 



all the more for the knowledge that out-of-doors it would 

 not look so happy. 



Writing of gathering leads me to the final aspect of 

 Daffodil-growing that I must dwell upon. I grudge pick- 

 ing blossoms so much from even well-flowered groups, 

 that we have planted some lines of useful cutting varieties 

 in the spaces between the currant and gooseberry bushes, 

 not needing that space for the crop nurses told us in our 

 early days emanated from that special bit of ground. The 

 daffodils get a bit of protection there and grow stiff and tall, 

 and are out of the way before fruit-picking begins. What 

 have we put there ? Let me see now Sir Watkin of 

 course, a fine healthy lot of bulbs of giant proportions from 

 a certain Dutch field of many acres I once crossed with 

 Sir Watkin up to my knees. I never saw such a sight, and 

 vowed I must test their vigour here. In this their first 

 year they have surprised all who had not seen them at 

 Noordwyk ; and now comes the question, Will they be able 

 to do so again ? Queen Bess is another indispensable as she 

 is so early. Hall Caine, whose praises I have already sung 

 Mrs. Camm, as she is one of the most useful, a delightful 

 size for old and tall champagne glasses, delicate in colour 

 and lasting well. Mr. Camm is there, too, but not so much 

 approved of. Seagull, Albatross, several Poets, and a long 

 line of mixed Dutch seedlings are those that come to my 

 mind as most successful. Some beds of Tea Roses are 

 planted pretty thickly with Barrii conspicuus, the Camms, 

 and Golden Mary, and provide many a good bunch, while 

 I hope and believe the Daffodil leaves protect the Rose 

 shoots. It is good to see that Barrii conspicuus is still in 

 favour even with experts, for in the voting list returns as 

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