98 THE BOOK OF THE DAFFODIL 



A little forethought at planting time will much improve 

 the chances of the intending exhibitor. It is very annoy- 

 ing to find as the show day approaches that some of the 

 varieties which have been relied upon for effect are either 

 too far past or not forward enough for staging. This 

 contingency may be partly guarded against in the case 

 of any particularly useful varieties by planting two or 

 three patches with different aspects and surroundings, 

 so as to ensure a longer succession of flowers. Bulbs 

 planted rather more deeply than usual, in heavier soil, 

 and with a northerly aspect, will produce a later batch 

 of flowers than those planted at the usual depth, in light 

 soil and in a warm situation. The flowering of the bulbs 

 may be farther retarded by late planting, but it should 

 be always remembered that late-planted bulbs cannot be 

 expected to produce such fine flowers as those planted 

 at the proper time. It is also advisable, if it can be 

 managed, to grow in cold frames some boxes of the 

 showiest and best of the later-flowering varieties. These 

 flowers will, with proper management, be quite as good 

 or better than those in the open border, and about ten 

 days earlier, and will be very useful on the show table. 



As the show day approaches, it will be wise of the 

 exhibitor to take stock of the varieties which seem likely 

 to be in flower at the right time, and to make a rough 

 general plan of the relative positions in which they will 

 look best when staged. Flowers with a slightly drooping 

 habit, which consequently show best when looked at 

 from below — such as the beautiful Leedsii Katherine 

 Spurrell, Barrii Maurice Vilmor'm, and many other In- 

 comparables — should be reserved for the highest shelf 

 of the staging. Most of the short-stalked flowers, and 

 almost all the Trumpets, look well in the lower rows, 

 while the smaller white Trumpets are very effective on 

 the bottom row of all. The best and most striking 

 varieties should be massed, as far as possible, in the 



