290 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



they can be readily recognised as distinct forms by ordinary 

 people, and on the other hand are more beautiful than, or differ 

 in beauty from, their forerunners. If we were to attempt to 

 express all the different forms by separate names, we should lead 

 ourselves into endless confusion. 



It is one of the objects of the Narcissus Committee, and in- 

 deed of this Conference, to determine which are the forms 

 worthy of receiving distinct names. In regard, however, to less 

 marked forms, those seedlings which come into existence and yet 

 possess no adequately distinct features or merit, it is a matter of 

 difficulty to know what to do with them. Some recommend that 

 all such forms should be destroyed at once as soon as they appear, 

 so that they may no longer trouble the world. For the existence 

 of a form which does not bear the characteristics which its name 

 implies is a source of great trouble ; it is important that each 

 form bearing a definite name should have distinct characters, so 

 that we may know when we have the real form, and not merely 

 something like it. It becomes, therefore, of great importance 

 that the forms to which we attach names should be kept clean 

 and pure ; and on this ground alone there is something to be said 

 in favour of destroying indistinct forms. It is true that when 

 one is bid to do this one is tempted to reply, " Thou askest a 

 hard thing.' ' I well remember the pangs with which I consigned 

 to the rubbish heap last year a number of seedling plants which 

 I considered did not possess sufficient individuality to deserve 

 distinct names. If such indistinct forms are to be allowed to 

 live for any special purpose, they should be kept apart in some 

 sort of curiosity garden, and not be thrown into circulation with 

 names attached to them. 



The second rule is that the name should, if possible, be 

 one which can be easily written, one which can be easily 

 read, and one which can be spoken, if not easily, at least 

 without great effort. I believe that one of the objects of the 

 Narcissus Committee is to ensure that names should be given 

 on these two principles. There is another quality which it is 

 desirable that a name should possess, and that is, the name 

 should in some way indicate the nature of the object named. 

 But though it is our duty to strive to attain this virtue in a name, 

 the task is a very hard one. 



So much for taking care of the names ; but that is only 



