312 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



(Campernelli), Tazetta ochroleucus (Scilly white), Tazetta aureus 

 (Grand Soleil d'Or), Tazetta Grand Monarque (two vars.), 

 biflorus, poeticus fl. pi., and poeticus recurvus. 



The date of the introduction of these is extremely obscure, 

 except Campernelli, of which two bulbs were presented to Mrs. 

 Gluyas fifty years ago by the captain of a French vessel, and 

 her son now holds the largest stock. The others were introduced 

 probably by the Governors, the largest stock being found around 

 their " country seat " at Holy Vale, St. Mary's, or they may have 

 been introduced by the monks residing at Tresco (these monks 

 belonged to the Abbey of Tavistock, and were of the Benedictine 

 order). There were most of the above varieties growing in the 

 Abbey gardens in the vicinity of the old Abbey ruins, as well as 

 many other varieties which had been introduced since 1834 by 

 Mr. Augustus Smith. It occurred to him, seeing the Narcissi 

 growing so early and so luxuriantly, that they might be a useful 

 article of export from the islands. He advised some of his 

 tenants to send them up for sale to Covent Garden. He sent 

 up the first lot himself about 1865, which realised £1. 



For some years the cultivation was confined to the Abbey 

 gardens, to Mr. E. Mumford of Holy Vale, Mr. Trevellick of 

 Rocky Hill, Mr. Gluyas of Old Town, Mr. T. Mumford of New- 

 ford, and a few others. The demf Aid for flowers was not so 

 great as at present ; indeed, when first I came to reside in the 

 islands they did not realise a sufficient amount to go into the 

 culture to any large extent. It was not till ten years ago that 

 it became thoroughly remunerative, and even then a very small 

 quantity was sent to market. 



In the year 1883 I weni to Belgium, Holland, and the 

 Channel Islands to learn as to the culture, and to judge for 

 myself as to the probability of our working the industry success- 

 fully. In the Channel Islands they had turned their attention 

 chiefly to Grapes, Potatoes, and vegetables. There was no great 

 stock of Narcissi, nor did they go in to any great extent for 

 flower culture. Belgium and Holland were a month later than 

 Scilly, so that I considered it safe to embark more extensively in 

 the culture than before, and bought largely for myself and my 

 tenants. The exports rose to 65 tons in 1885, 85 tons in 1886, 

 100 tons in 1887, 188 tons in 1888, and 198 tons in 1889. 



We formed a bulb and flower association in 1885 to promote 



