MISCELLAXEOrS EXHIBITION PLAXTS. 113 



all side-shoots as tliej appear, except three at the top, which 

 form the foundation of the specimen. A stout stake should 

 be placed beside the stem, and two strong wires, each 2J, feet 

 long, stretched at right angles across the top, with the ends 

 slightly bent downwards, to which is attached a circular \Tire, 

 which forms the outline. Thin wires should then be tied over 

 the cross ones, to form a trelhs. The shoots should be stopped, 

 tied down, and all flowers removed until within a month of 

 the time the plants are wanted for exhibition. The points of 

 merit are : (1.) Size and health of the specimen; (2.) length 

 and number of the spikes; (3.) clear colour, and sweet perfume 

 of flowers. 



XARCISSUS. 

 These popular spring-flowering bulbous plants are divided 

 into two sections, the Garden and the Polyanthus Narcissus. 

 The former is distinguished by having one, two, or three 

 flowers on the spike, while the latter has many, but gene- 

 allj' of a small size. A few of the best Garden varieties are 

 Empress, Emperor. Horsfieldii, Maximus, Princeps, and Sir 

 T\ atkin. Some of the best Polyanthus Narcissus are Bazel- 

 man Major, Grand Monarch, Her Majesty, Milton, Newton, 

 and Queen of the Netherlands. Their cultivation is some- 

 what similar to that recommended for the Hyacinth. The 

 bulbs for exhibition plants should be carefully selected, by 

 choosing all of the same size, firmness, and appearance, because 

 it is of the greatest importance to have all the flowers in a 

 pot fully developed at one time. From three to six bulbs 

 should be put into a pot according to its size, among light 

 turfy loam, sand, and leaf -mould. The pots should be covered 

 with ashes like the Hyacinth, till they are partially filled 

 with roots, when they are in a proper state for forcing. The 

 plants are much benefited by weak liquid manure when they 

 are fairly started. The points of merit are : (1.) Size and 

 texture of the petals; (2.) prominence of the trumpet, the 

 edges of which should be slightly reflexed; (3.) the colour 

 clear and rich. If the perianth and trumpet be of different 

 colours, they should be distinct. In Polyanthus Narcissus, all 

 other points being equal, the number of flowers on the stem is 

 the chief point to decide their merits. 



