DAFFODIL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION. 



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classification of the N. Tazctta, after the same system as that 

 which is adopted nowadays, viz. : (a) totus albas ; (b) mcdio- 

 luteus; (c) totas luieus. He enumerates eight forms of the first 

 class, thirteen of the second, and five of the third ; numbers of 

 synonyms of most of these varieties being given with much 

 more exactitude than heretofore. In Parkinson's well-known 

 " Paradisus " (1629) we find described and figured a certain 

 number of Polyanthus Narcissi ; but, after comparing his notes 

 with those of Continental writers, we infer that at that time 

 many more forms were cultivated on the Continent, especially in 

 the Netherlands, than in England. It is quite certain, too, from 

 the remarks of Petrus Lauremberg (1632), and from the different 

 editions of the catalogue of the Botanic Gardens at Leiden, that 

 already numerous Dutch seedlings were in cultivation. 



Heinrich Hesse (" Deutscher Gartner," 1710) tells us that 

 at the beginning of the eighteenth century the Polyanthus Nar- 

 cissi introduced from the Mediterranean into Holland were 

 cultivated in cape pits, though some varieties were treated in 

 the same way as at present — planted in autumn in the open 

 ground, with a thick cover of dry leaves or moss laid over them 

 in the winter. The well-known variety, orientalis (Muzart), was 

 already an object of cultivation. You see then that Polyanthus 

 Narcissus was always a subject of careful cultivation by the 

 Dutch florists ; and in the second part of the eighteenth century 

 numerous named collections were found in Holland, unrivalled 

 elsewhere, from which the amateur gardens of the whole world 

 were regularly supplied. 



As for cultivation, very simple hints are given by Van Kampen 

 in his above-mentioned " Traite " of 1760. "Their culture," 

 says he, " presents no difficulty ; they only want careful pro- 

 tection against frost. They should be planted in November, 

 8 inches deep, otherwise the new shoots will be damaged by 

 the frost in spring. The soil should be well worked, but not 

 much mixed with dung, as they do not like a greasy soil. 

 Amateurs living in more northern climates should plant the 

 bulbs somewhat earlier, covering them with straw or old tan to 

 protect them against frost. The time for taking up the bulbs is 

 the end of July." The method of cultivation in Holland at 

 present is very much the same as it was a century ago. The 

 bu]bs for sale the next year are, however, planted earlier — in 



