214 



MY GARDEN. 



(fig. 401), is very distinct, and there is a double variety of great 

 beauty. When the glorious Narcissus poeticus (fig. 402) comes into 

 flower, at the end of May, we may know that summer is at hand. 

 Whilst it lasts it is the glory of the garden, and many roots should 

 be grown. Near the Lake Maggiore I saw a field literally covered 

 with this Narcissus, and a grand sight it was. It multiplies very fast, 

 and forms large patches if the gardener does not tidy up the border 

 in winter and ruthlessly destroy the bulbs. 



FIG. 401. N. incomparabili> 



P'IG. 402. N. poeticus. 



We also grow Narcissus orientalis (fig. 403), with other species. 

 Considering their importance in taking a place at a particular time of 

 the year, and their easy culture, they demand more attention than 

 they receive. 



" Then the pied wild-flowers, and the tulip tall, 

 And narcissi, the fairest among them all, 

 Who gaze on their eyes in the stream's recess 

 Till they die of their own dear loveliness." SHELLEY. 



Between the general flower-garden and the ferneries the Fritillaria 

 mcleagris (fig. 404) should never be omitted. It is one of the wild 

 flowers of England, of which there are many florists' varieties. The 

 F. meleagris is not common in gardens, and I have been amused at many 

 gardeners not even knowing what it was. It grows well with me, and 

 seeds freely, and most of the varieties are beautiful. Allied to this is 

 the Crown Imperial, which never does well, and, in my opinion, it may 

 be dispensed with, at any rate in any considerable quantity. 



An early spring flower of great beauty, which very few grow, and 

 yet which everyone admires, is the Spring Snow-flake (Leucojum 



