CULTIVATION OF THE XARCLSSUS IN GARDENS. 
41 
•grittiness — as the best all round soil for Narcissi. The particular con- 
stitutions, however, of the different classes should be considered as much 
as possible. The Poeticus and Burbidgei varieties, with the strongest 
kinds of Star Narcissi and a few of the stronger Daffodils, produce their 
best results in good strong moist loam, the more delicate varieties in a 
medium soil inclining to light. The White Daffodils, most beautiful of 
all the Narcissi and among the most uncertain, with some of the more 
uncertain kinds of self-yellow Daffodils (especially those of Spurius blood), 
do best in maiden turfy loam, and soon become diseased in soil that has 
much humus in it. 
As to Situation and Position. — Of course it is delightful in spring to 
■see the bright cheery flowers of the Narcissus in large irregularly shaped 
■masses in the hardy flower borders, and cheap bulbs of strong, good, 
kinds may well be planted in such a position. But the better kinds 
deserve to be grown in a place to themselves, where they can be properly 
studied and attended to. But beds given up to them in the front garden 
will be untidy while the leaves are dying off, and empty during the 
summer and autumn. It is a good plan, therefore, to assign to the 
Narcissi some portions of ground in suitable parts of the kitchen garden. 
And if, as time goes on, the yellow fever " should increase, and an 
inclination should develop itself to annex more and still more of the 
kitchen garden, so that the growth of vegetables is somewhat curtailed, 
encourage yourself by the reflection that good Narcissus bulbs are a better 
investment than Potatos, and that good vegetables are much cheaper to 
buy than good Narcissus flowers. Long rectangular beds are the most 
convenient, made four feet wide, so that it is easy to reach to the middle 
from either side without setting foot upon them. I enclose mine with 
wood edging boards which have been well tarred. This not only prevents 
ihe edges of the bed getting trampled upon, but makes it easy to raise 
the level a few inches above the surrounding surface, which is a very 
beneficial arrangement in gardens inclined to be w^et. 
The more vigorous varieties will do well with almost any aspect which 
is not absolutely sunless ; most Narcissi, however, prefer a fair amount 
of sunshine, but to be partially shaded from the midday sun. A very 
good position is on the north side of a row of Apple trees. The White 
Daffodils are particularly grateful for the shade of trees ; and these 
varieties, I find, do much better when planted near to (but not 
immediately under) a hedge or shrubs. They then have to maintain a 
contest with the fibrous roots of their encroaching neighbour, and their 
health is best when they have to fight for their living. 
Wherever your beds may be placed let the ground be deeply dug (I 
prefer it double trenched), and well drained, if there is not good natural 
drainage. But the digging should be done long enough before planting 
time to let the soil settle, for the Narcissus does not like to be planted in 
loose soil. If for any reason you are obliged to prepare your beds in 
summer, shortly before planting time it is a good and simple plan to 
take some opportunity when the soil is not wet and press them down 
firmly by placing a fairly wide board on the surface and standing upon it. 
This very primitive method gives an even and not too great pressure, and 
will relieve you from the necessity of planting in too loose soil. 
