140 POPULAR GARDEN FLOWERS 



It must be remembered that the majority of these 

 are much more expensive than the varieties in the first 

 list. 



With respect to the classes mentioned, the Burbidgei 

 and Poetaz both belong to the small-crown section, of 

 which the Poet's Narciss is the most popular example. 

 The Burbidgei varieties are really hybrid Poet's. The 

 Poetaz sorts, of which Elvira is a charming example, are 

 hybrids between the Poet's and the Polyanthus-flowered 

 group, the latter of which is botanically known as 

 Narcissus Tazetta. The Chalice-flowered or Star Narcissi, 

 of the medium-crown section, are the Narcissus incom- 

 parabilis of botanists. The resemblance of the crown to 

 the wine chalice at the Lord's Supper table led to the 

 term chalice-flowered being applied to them. The Barrii 

 and Leedsii varieties belong to the same section. The 

 yellow and white trumpets are frequently spoken of by 

 florists as Bicolors. 



Hardiness. After this brief glance at the history and 

 classification of the Daffodil, and list of some of the best 

 varieties, we may usefully consider cultivation. The 

 amateur may wonder whether the work of the florists in 

 improving the flower has led to any loss of hardiness or 

 vigour on the part of the plant. Happily it has not. 

 With one or two unimportant exceptions, all the Narcissi 

 are hardy. All do not, it is true, multiply as fast as the 

 old Lent Lily, but for the most part they are strong, and 

 quite suitable for cultivation in the open air. Only in 

 the case of a very expensive variety need pot culture be 

 regarded as obligatory, and this not because the plant 

 lacks vigour, but because it can be kept more closely 

 under the grower's control in a frame or greenhouse 

 than in the garden, where a careless spade-thrust might 

 destroy it. 



