DAFFODIL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION. 



347 



of any other crop grown. It will be very difficult to give an idea 

 of the exact number of Daffodils under cultivation, but it is very 

 certain that the number is rapidly increasing ; and if we can say 

 that there were ten millions under cultivation at the last Con- 

 ference in 1884, we can safely say that there are now two hundred 

 millions. At this rate of increase, six years hence our stock will 

 be something enormous. 



No doubt the cultivation of Daffodils for market has paid, 

 but the question arises, Will it continue to pay at this rate of 

 increase ? for if we compare the prices which the blossoms 

 realised in 1885 with those of the present year, I am satisfied 

 there has been a fall of 50 per cent. 



Large quantities of outdoor English-grown Daffodils were sold 

 last year as low as 9d. for a dozen bunches, with a dozen blooms 

 in each bunch, a price that cannot pay ; but when the grower 

 has them in market, it is better for him to take even that price 

 than to throw them away. This may be taken as the minimum. 

 On the other hand as much as 12s. has been obtained for the 

 same quantity. If we look at the enormous quantity of blos- 

 soms that come from the South of France, the Scilly and 

 Channel Isles, together with what are forced under glass around 

 London, the British public may rely upon having a good supply 

 of cheap Daffodils from the end of January to the middle of May. 



The next consideration is a very important one, namely, which 

 are the best varieties to grow. In classing these, I cannot do 

 better than follow the order of our schedule for to-day, but I 

 shall omit Classes 1, 7, and 9, Corbularia and triandrus being 

 unsuitable for market cultivation ; gracilis and intermedins 

 being in little demand ; and the Tazettas not succeeding so well 

 in the open air about London as they do in a somewhat warmer 

 climate, as, e.g., in the Scilly and Channel Islands. 



Class 2. — Yellow Trumpets. 



In this section Emperor stands pre-eminent for size, substance, 

 and constitution. 



Maximus. — Fine deep yellow ; if this was a free flowerer it 

 would rank amongst the first for market purposes. Golden Spur, 

 Henry Irving, Ard High, Countess of Annesley, and Tenby are 

 varieties that may be grown in large quantities ; to these may 



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