160 FAMILIAB GARDEN FLOWERS. 



The great trumpet daffodils are such as Shakespears had 

 in mind when he spoke of 



" Daffodils that come before the swallow dares, 

 And take the winds of March with beauty." 



The earliness and the hardiness of these brave flowers 

 render them beyond all ordinary measure valuable. It is 

 but rarely the frost harms them, even when they flower in 

 the early days of March, and, indeed, the only enemy to be 

 feared is strong sunshine, which of course does not often 

 occur in the season of daffodils. Add to their hardiness 

 that they are not at all particular as to soil, and that 

 when once planted they may be left undisturbed for years, 

 and what a heap of arguments have we in favour of their 

 cultivation, and in explanation of their ever-increasing 

 popularity ! We will crown the great heap with a fact of 

 some importance. The daffodils thrive in damp places that 

 are partially shaded by trees ; hence they are available to 

 convert into a Tom Tiddler's ground many a spot whereon 

 but few choice flowers would find a happy home. 



