FLOWER CULTURE 61 



Duchess of Brabant, Duchess of Westminster, Minnie Hume, and 

 Mrs. Langtry. 



N^arcissus poeticus with its varieties are amongst the most valu- 

 able we have in the garden. They increase more rapidly and give 

 more flowers than any other variety. The varieties grandiflora, 

 King Edward VII, ornatus, and poetarum are the best ones to 

 grow. Narcissus poetaz is a new race that is going to have a great 

 run in this country as they increase so rapidly and flower so pro- 

 fusely. They are perfectly hardy. They originated from a cross 

 with Narcissus poeticus and one of the Polyanthus Narcissi. 

 There are about eight varieties. We have grown the variety 

 Elvira for several years and it is most pleasing and satisfactory. 

 The other varieties we have grown are Aspacia, Ideal, Irene, Klon- 

 dike, Profusion, and Triumph. The Jonquils are all hardy and 

 delightfully fragrant. 



Tulips are the showiest and gaudiest flowers we have in May. 

 The early kinds are valuable for massing effects in beds and borders 

 and there are an immense number of varieties. The following 

 kinds are good. In white. La Reine, Joost Van Vondel, Potte- 

 bakker white. In yellow, Chrysolora, Goldfinch, Mon Tresor, 

 and Yellow Prince. In pink. Cottage Maid, Pink Beauty, Queen 

 of the Netherlands, and Queen of the Pinks. In scarlet and red 

 the best are Artus, Belle Alliance, Vermillion Brilliant, and Vesu- 

 vius. A few other good kinds are Duchess of Parma, Prince of 

 Austria, and Keizerkroon. 



It is very gratifying to note the great interest that is being 

 taken in the late tulips such as the Cottage tulips, Darwins, and 

 many of the species. They are the most important of all the 

 tulips for garden effects. They are a little more expensive than 

 the common tulip but they are worth the difference in price. The 

 Darwin tulips are improved breeders and are self-colored mostly. 

 They are the most graceful of all the tulips. Some of the nicest 

 and most pleasing are the following : Gretchen, rosy pink with pale 

 blue base; Glory, fiery scarlet color; Gustave Dore, pink; Clara 

 Butt, very fine form, delicate salmon-pink; La Candeur, white; 

 Pride of Haarlem, dazzling cerise; Mr. Farncombe Sanders, crim- 

 son red; Mad. Krelage, soft rosy pink, Mrs. Cleveland, rosy pink; 

 and Torch, fiery red. 



