CHAPTER XII 



THE NEW DAFFODIL-GROWING 



IT is only when we see Daffodils nodding carelessly over 

 the grass in an almost riotous abandonment of joy that 

 we realize how perfect an environment for them is the 

 green turf. Naturalized on the rougher parts of the 

 lawn, or in pasture, they are so entirely at one with their 

 surroundings as to give an assurance of complete happi- 

 ness. Seeing such a picture, the flower-lover may well 

 ask himself whether he is wise in spending so much time, 

 labour and money on the complete subjugation of grass ; 

 and whether he would not act wisely in restricting the 

 area of dressed turf. True, regularly mown and trimmed 

 grass has a refined and finished appearance, and the 

 portions of lawn near the house, also the margins of 

 drives, may be dressed. But the more remote portions 

 might well be planted with beautiful flowers, such as 

 Snowdrops, Crocuses, Daffodils and Bluebells, and kept 

 down only with the scythe. 



There is both beauty and after the first outlay 

 economy in this method of dealing with grass. There 

 will be no labour in it until early summer. No longer 

 will the whir of the mowing-machine be heard with the 

 first note of the cuckoo in spring. Wheelbarrow, broom 

 and edging shears will intrude their incongruous presence 

 no more. When the last pure blossoms of the Poet's 

 Narcissus have drooped their heads, when the trees are 



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