Narcissus 



begin to open this must be discontinued, and at the same time the 

 heat should be diminished. 



A succession of Narcissi for indoor decoration can be secured 

 by starting batches at intervals of two or three weeks; and by 

 moderating the treatment as the season advances, the last lot will 

 flower naturally without artificial stimulus. Large bulbs should be 

 potted singly, but several roots of the smaller sorts may be put into 

 one pot. Heavy heads of bloom will need support, and there is 

 nothing neater than the wires which are made expressly for the 

 purpose. 



Culture in Water. For growing in glasses no other bulbous 

 flower is equal to the Narcissus. Darkness at the outset is not 

 essential to it, and therefore, the gradual development of the roots 

 may be observed from the time they start ; and contact with water 

 will do no harm to the bulb. The glasses should, however, be kept 

 in a low and fairly uniform temperature, to discourage the growth 

 of foliage until the bulbs have fully formed their roots. Pure rain 

 water is desirable, but it is not actually necessary ; and for the sake 

 of appearances, as well as on the score of health, it should be 

 changed immediately it ceases to be quite transparent. Those who 

 do not care to observe the growth in glasses, but like to have the 

 plants in water during the blooming period, may grow the bulbs in 

 pots in the usual way, and wash off the soil when wanted. In this 

 case the roots will not be quite so regular as those which have been 

 wholly grown in water. Perhaps we need scarcely say that it is pos- 

 sible to utilise this flower in many other ways such, for instance, as 

 in decorating epergnes, glass globes, and fancy vases. They may 

 also be made to float on a small fountain or aquarium ; indeed, it is 

 surprising to what varied and effective purposes a little ingenuity 

 will adapt them. 



Culture in Open Ground. For this purpose the Narcissus 

 will always command attention for its graceful appearance ; and this 

 observation applies with as much force to the Polyanthus section 

 when thus used as to the varieties which are specially recognised as 

 Garden Narcissus. The latter class includes many old favourites, 

 among which is the Pheasant's Eye one of the most exquisite 

 flowers grown in our gardens. 



The Narcissus is often used for bedding with superb effect. The 

 graceful habit, which is one of its principal charms, is very striking 

 in large masses, and its elegant appearance in the positions for 

 which it is naturally suited cannot fail to arrest attention. Beneath 



3 11 



