44- 



Garden and Forest. 



[March 21, 1888. 



Fio;. 9. — Chinese Narcissus grown in water. 



reddish violet tinge in tlie wings, and Imperial Blue shows 

 more blue than others of this class. Princess of Wales and 

 Purple Striped are the best of the dark-striped varieties, the 

 one blue and white and the other purplish crimson and 

 white. 



The most useful of all for cut flowers is the old Pure White. 

 Unfortunately it is a rather poor grower, and therefore the an- 

 nouncement last year that an improved variety of Pure White 

 had been shown at an English exhibition was gratifying to all 

 who take a special interest in these beautiful and fragrant flow- 

 ers. Other new varieties at English exhibitions, spoken of as 

 distinct and promising, are Primrose, Mauve Queen, Splentlor 

 and Apple Blossom, whose names give some indication of their 

 color. A. H. Ffwkcs. 



" It cannot be too often repeated that care should be taken 

 not to willfully destroy the native features of the scene. Many 

 gardeners assume that before beginning their plantings thev 

 must dig up everything that Nature has made to grow; whereas 

 experience proves that they would accomplisli their end much 

 sooner and better if they should try to second Nature by mak- 

 ing slight changes here and careful additions there." 



From C. C. L. Hirschfeld's Theorie dcr Gartenkunst, Leipzig, 

 1777- 



Polyanthus Narcissus. 



THE ancient Chinese custom of growing the Polyanthus Nar- 

 cissus in water to bloom at the advent of their New Year 

 was brought to San Francisco Ijv emigrants from the Celestial 

 Empire more than a quarter of a century ago. The fashion has 

 now reached the east, and it is not very uncommon to see this 

 plant growing in this way in the houses of Boston and its sub- 

 urbs. The cultivation of the Narcissus in water is very simple. 

 The bulli is placed in a shallow bowl or deep plate, about six 

 weeks before it is ^x-anted in flower, and, according to the 

 Chinese habit, is surrounded with small bright-colored stones 

 probably to prevent it from tipping in tlie plate ; this is filled 

 with water and should be placed in the dark until root-growth 

 is made. When the roots appear the plant should be placed 

 in a sunnv window and will require no further care beyond a 

 daily addition of fresh water. 



The variety of Narcissus brouglit Iiy the Chinese to this' 

 country and from here introduced into England, is known as 

 the Grand Emperor. The Chinese liulbs are exceedingly vigor- 

 ous. They are nearly double the size of those of other varie- 

 ties of this species of Narcissus, and when grown in water some- 

 times throw up leaves and flower-stems tln-ee feet in height. 

 The Chinese Narcissus is an interesting and attractive house 

 plant. Our illustration above is from a photograph of a plant 

 tjrown near Boston. 



