o£8 Wild Daffodil at Chirnside. By Dr. (Jlias. Stuart. 



questions: — About 1750 or earlier, Mr William Hall, a former 

 proprietor of Whitehall planted and beautified the grounds, 

 introducing the Common Daffodil as it is found growing now all 

 through the woods. These small sorts must have got more care 

 bestowed on their cultivation, for they grow in a situation which 

 might have been a flower garden in the olden time, near a 

 bowling green, which is now overgrown. This miniature group, 

 however, may have been seedlings or sports, from N. nanus, 

 JV. obvallaris, or N. Scoticus. Such is the belief of competent 

 judges, for the blooms have been seen by Mr Peter Barr of 

 London, who has done much to classify and aiu-ange the Nar- 

 cissus family. He says the blooms I submitted for his inspection 

 are entirely new to him. 



Now that they have been cultivated in the open air, and pro- 

 perly looked after for several years, they have developed their 

 true qualities, and are much finer this spring than they ever were 

 before. They form a distinct chain leading up, from the small 

 to the largest forms, and are finehv graduated, which constitutes 

 their distinctness. Next spring when they flower, it is intended 

 to label the group carefully to ensure the identity of each 

 variety, and to name each to prevent future confusion. It is 

 quite possible that some of the roots obtained now three years 

 ago, may not have flowered, and that some new sort may yet 

 disclose itself. "Golden Spiral" did not bloom till this spring 

 although planted three years ago. It has the fine spiral twist in 

 the petals as seen in the perianth of Narcissus maximus, and it 

 gives this double flower a very distinct appearance. 



As I have already stated, I consider that all the Daffodils at 

 Whitehall have originally been planted and become naturalised 

 through the woods. About the twentieth of April, they are a 

 sheet of bloom, and on a sunny breezy day, are a sight to see. 

 An occasional single flower occurs among the doubles — but if 

 dug up, I find that invariably it becomes double under cultivation. 

 That the miniature group is quite distinct from those growing 

 uuder the trees, is a matter also beyond dispute ; and I have 

 already stated my .own opinion, and that of others, as to their 

 origin. Mr William Hall died in London, 3rd April, 1800. He 

 succeeded to the estate of Whitehall about 1750. The lands of 

 Whitehall were purchased by the Halls from the Earl of Home, 

 about the Revolution, and remained in their possession for a cen- 

 tury and a half. They were of the same family as the present Sir 



