DISCUSSION. 



101 



Now I venture to think that no more fallacious guides were ever 

 invented for a beginner than descriptions and prices. Descrip- 

 tions are notoriously bewildering, save to those who are well 

 accustomed to the style of the describer and the general idea of 

 the described. And prices are most misleading. Some people 

 would pick out all the most expensive bulbs under the impression 

 " they must be the best." Others again would pick out the least 

 costly, saying, "they will do to begin on." Both ideas are most 

 fallacious. I am certain that some of the more costly bulbs are 

 the cheapest for a beginner, and some of the least costly are 

 among the best. I will venture to name a baker's dozen for any 

 beginner to start on, which I think will none of them cause dis- 

 appointment. I will not name them in any order of merit, as 

 people's ideas on that point are so different. I name them as 

 they come to my mind, and I will give my reason for naming 

 each. 



Double Telamonius — -The common double yellow Daffodil. 

 It will grow anywhere, and increase very rapidly. It is glorious 

 in colour, stout in habit, and lasts a long time in bloom. It is 

 the most generally useful Daffodil we have. 



Emperor. — A grand flower ; tall, strong, robust, very prolific, 

 large broad foliage, large clear pale yellow flower. 



Horsfieldi. — Another grand flower ; deep yellow trumpet, 

 almost white perianth ; very prolific. 



Empress. — -Except to experts, an exact copy of Horsfieldi ; 

 but it blooms a fortnight later, and is therefore fully as desirable 

 as Horsfieldi, and its perianth possesses a little more substance, 

 and its flower stalk is stiffer. 



Leedsi C. J. Backhouse. — A very fine flower, with a small 

 brilliant orange-red trumpet or cup, and a broad golden yellow 

 perianth. It is most distinct, and in my garden is very strong 

 and prolific. 



Sir Watkin. — A splendid and quite distinct yellow flower of 

 good constitution, and strong robust habit ; very prolific. 



Barri conspicuus. — One of the most charming flowers that 

 I know. Very pale sulphur perianth, with cup fringed with 

 orange. It is not of so stout a habit as those I have previously 

 named, but it is of thoroughly good constitution, and increases 

 rapidly. 



