Page 60 



BETTER FRUIT 



May 



THE HARDY NARCISSI FOR OUTDOOR PLANTING 



BY ARTHUR BOWMAN, WITH PORTLAND SEED COMPANY 



A PLANTING PLAN for beautify- 

 ing the home is incomplete with- 

 out "daffodils." The purity and 

 beauty of their coloring and their grace- 

 ful elegance of form stamp them as true 



Since that time much has been accom- 

 plished, and a brief story of their 

 advancement, together with notes on 

 popular types and their culture, may 

 create an interest that will lead to a 



classics among flowers — :real master- 

 pieces of nature — aided in their develop- 

 ment by the guiding hand and loving- 

 care of a master mind; for to their pres- 

 ent popularity and perfection the world 

 owes muc to Peter Barr, "the father of 

 the dafTodil." 



As long ago as 1629 Parkinson, a Lon- 

 don apothecary, published his book, "A 

 Garden of Beautiful Flowers," in which 

 he listed ninety-six varieties of daffodils, 

 and expressed regret that no two author- 

 ities agreed as to their classification. 



closer acquaintance and greater appre- 

 ciation of these most charming of all 

 spring flowers. 



From the beginning of the seventeenth 

 century until the early part of the nine- 

 teenth no important advancement was 

 recorded. About this time a group of 

 London amateurs collected and grew all 

 the varieties obtainable. Dean Herbert's 

 book on "The Amarylladae" then made 

 its appearance, and it was during his 

 study of the daffodil family, analyzing 

 what had before been considered as 



species, that he became convinced of the 

 possibility of many of them being 

 hybrids. To demonstrate this he crossed 

 the trumpet with the poeticus types, and 

 the seedlings shov^^ed a composite of 

 both parents. 



The announcement of these results in 

 the early forties created a profound 

 sensation, many enthusiasts taking up 

 the work of development, among whom 

 the names of two men and the results 

 of their labors stand forth prominently, 

 one of whom was Edward Leeds, a stock 

 broker of Manchester, England, the 

 other, William Backhouse, a banker of 

 Darlington. Both developed large and 

 distinctive collections, which were even- 

 tually secured by Peter Barr. They 

 were the only collections of seedling 

 daffodils in the world, which, added to 

 Mr. Barr's own list, on which he had 

 been working for some ten years, gave 

 him the complete collection of all varie- 

 ties in cultivation. This was in the 

 seventies. For ten more years the work 

 of gathering material, straightening out 

 the family, grouping and naming varie- 

 ties proceeded steadily, and when his 

 labors were completed in the early 

 eighties the collection represented some 

 five hundred distinct varieties, including 

 many new sorts, and commanded the 

 attention of the Royal Horticultural 

 Society of Great Britain, which, in 

 the spring of 1S84, sent a deputation 



-\ PRODUCING ORCHARD .-\T OPPORTUXTTV, WWSHTXGTOX 



Gentlemen : Please send me booklet 

 on Opportunity. 



Name ■ 



Address 



Why Experiment 



With projects which liave been tried and found wanting? "OPPORTUNITY," 

 in the far-famed Spokane Valley, has passed the experimental stage, as every 

 foot of our soil is capable of cultivation, and is producing the highest grade of 

 fruits, which because of their superior quality command highest market prices. 



It has not only proven itself one of the finest orchard projects in the North- 

 west, but is the ideal place for the home-builder. Its proximity to the city of 

 Spokane, three miles distant, splendid market facilities, steam and electric lines, 

 churches, schools, electric lights, telephone service, water under pressure for 

 domestic use, and the irrigation water carried to highest point on each tract, 

 gives the purchaser all the conveniences of the city and the comforts of the 

 country. 



Our Guarantee to Investors 



If you have not the time or inclination to develop and plant an orchard 

 yourself, we will have our expert horticulturist plant an orchard for you to the 

 best varieties of fruit, taking entire charge of it until it comes into bearing, and 

 then turn it over — an orchard which is an income bringer from the start. 



If at the expiration of four years you are not satisfied with your investment, 

 WE WILL REFUND YOUR MONEY WITH SIX PER CENT INTEREST. 

 This eliminates all financial risk on your part and makes your investment 

 absolutely secure. 



This proposition will bear rigid investigation. Our guarantee is absolutely 

 good, as we are financially responsible, and can carry out all our plans for 

 planting this land to orchards. 



References: Old Xational Bank and Traders National Bank, Spokane, 

 Washington. 



Modern Irrigation 

 and Land Company 



p. A. SUMMERLAND, General Sales Agent 

 326 First Avenue Spokane, Washington 



WHEN WRITING ..ADVERTISERS MENTION BETTER FRUIT 



