BARR’S HARDY DAFFODILS, AND WHAT THE GARDENING PAPERS SAY OF THEM. 
finish his sentence Mr. Dewar drew from behind him the best Emperor ho could find (for, like a canny Scot, he was 
already provided) and placed it with the Monarch; then all could see that, fine as both were, Monarch beat the 
Emperor. The trumpet without a fault, and the stout overlapping perianth segments without a twist or curl. 
Barr’s Monarch then heads the list of Golden Trumpet Daffodils. 
‘“But what's this ? ' askejl No. 1 of the experts, in surprise, * that is something very extraordinary ! ’ * Wonder- 
ful ! ' observed No. 2. ‘ Never saw anything like it! ' remarked No. 3. * No,' the Master dryly chimed in, ‘ because 
there is nothing like it ; it is Weardale Perfection.’ The trumpet was two inches long, symmetrical, and recurving 
with the utmost regularity at the mouth, which was equal in width to the length of the tube ; colour pale primrose, 
and the broad segments nearly white. Weardale Perfection was alone worth going to see, and, take it all in all, it is 
the finest Daffodil of its kind and colour that has ever been raised. 
“Other handsome varieties in the Ajax section were Glory of Leyden, with its huge smooth golden blooms ; 
Captain Nelson, with its long clear yellow trumpet and bold spreading segments; Emperor also stood out boldly ; 
but Santa Maria, one of Mr. Barr’s Spanish finds, is the richest in colour of all, not excepting the noble Maximus; 
P. R. Barr, a ‘small Emperor,’ is very free and good. Several of the early varieties were over and others fading. 
In the white-winged bicolor section, J. B. M. Camm, Dorrien Smith, John Parkinson, James Walker, Harrison 
Weir, Michael Foster, and Grandis were all fine, while Murrell Dobell and Alfred Parsons, similar in colour, 
were conspicuous by their neatness. 
“Small, in comparison with those mentioned, yet smooth, distinct, and beautiful, are the Johnstoni varieties, 
Queen of Spain and Mrs. George Camm ell. The first is the most effective in a mass, but the flowers of the second 
are individually more refined. The clear soft yellow and clean finish of these varieties render them particularly 
appropriate for vase decoration. 
“ Mrs. J. B. M. Camm and Madame de Graafflead the way in the white and sulphur-coloured trumpet varieties. 
Dr. Hogg,C. W. Cowan, Mr. and Mrs. Burbidge, Mrs. Vincent, Lady Grosvenor, and Snowflake, attracted attention 
in passing down the beds, by their soft chaste beauty, but there are several more of these 4 white Daffodils' well 
worth growing. 
“ Judging by the enormous number grown of the Incomparabilis, Barrii, Leedsii, and other types, it is evident 
that there is a great demand for the lighter and more elegant forms of Daffodils. When flowering in clumps or 
masses they have a pleasing effect, and when cut are admirably suited for vase decoration. It is difficult to choose 
from such a great assemblage of good sorts. Among those possessing strong claims to attention of the Incom- 
parabilis section were Autocrat, Frank Miles, Gloria Mundi, Gwyther, Beauty, C. J. Backhouse, King of the 
Netherlands, Albert Victor, Lorenzo, Titan, Princess Mary, Mabel Cowan, Queen Bess, and Splendens; and as a 
giant among them is the bold Sir Watkin, a striking flower, but ‘ wanting in refinement ' soy connoisseurs. The cups 
of the flowers vary from pale yellow to deep orange, and the segments from white to yellow, and the general effect 
bright and cheerful without any suspicion of gaudiness. 
“ The Leedsii varieties are paler, some approaching pure white, and as a group may he fairly described as chaste 
and charming. The Duchess of Westminster, Gem, and Minnie Hume, a very delightful trio ; also very attractive 
were Beatrice, Duchess of Brabant, Elegans, Katherine Spurrell, Mrs. Langtry, Palmerston, Maria M. de 
Graaff, Grand Duchess, and Princess of Wales. 
“ The Barrii varieties are distinctly attractive. Conspicuus will long remain a favourite, and such as Maurice 
Vilmorin, General Murray, Orphde, Crown Prince, Flora Wilson, and Dorothy Wemyss, all press their claims to 
attention. Passing the distinct Nelsoni, Backhouse!, Maoleai, Bernard!, Tridymus and Triandrus varieties, not 
because they are inferior, but because mention cannot be made of even the cream of the sorts, occupying seven or 
eight acres of ground, in a page of the Journal, we come to the 4 Burbidgeis,’ which link some of the others with 
the Poets' Narcissus, and find distinct and good varieties in Vanessa, like a yellow ‘Poet’s,’ Agnes Barr, Ellen 
Barrj Model, Ossian, John Bain, Little Dirk, Baroness Heath, and Crown Princess, jotted down in the pocket 
hook as possessing attractive characteristics in either form or colour, or both ; aud then there are 4 Poets ' by the 
score, a whole army of them, early and late in all their pearly beauty. 
“ The entire collection at Long Ditton represents a great national or international museum of Daffodils that 
could only have been provided by years of perseverance, great expenditure, aud unceasing work, prompted by a deep 
love for the flowers that conquered all difficulties, in acquiring so many, selecting them so well, 4 weeding’ them so 
carefully, and arranging them so systematically; and surely all who admire them must hope Mr. Barr will spend 
many happy years amongst them, and enjoy the reward to which he is justly entitled.” — Owx op the Students. 
This is what Mr. William Robinson said about Daffodils and their adaptation, in 
his Paper at the Conferenee on Hardy Flowers, Chiswick, July 7 and 8, 1891. 
“ The most important of all early flowers is the Narcissus. Five years ago I planted many thousands in the 
grass, the most important being the Star Narcissus (N. incomparabilis, &c.) in great variety. They have thriven admir- 
ably, flowered well and regularly, and the flowers are large and handsome, and have not diminished in size. In open 
rich heavy bottoms, along hedgerows, in quite open loamy fields, in every position I have tried them. They are 
delightful when seen near at band, and also effective in the picture. Good results could be obtained with the finer 
kinds of Narcissi by wood walks and open copses, which abound in so many English country places. With the 
common English, Irish and Scotch Daffodils I have had good results, thriving better, and flowering much handsomer 
than the wild plant — not uncommon in Sussex and many other parts of England. The Tenby Daffodil is very sturdy 
and pretty, and never fails us. A very delightful feature of the Narcissus meadow gardening is the way great groups in 
succession follow each other in the field. When the Star Narcissi (N. incomparabilis, &o.) begin to fade a little in 
their beauty, the Poets’ Narcissi follow, and as I write this paper we have the most beautiful picture I have ever 
seen in cultivation. Five years ago I cleared a little valley of various fences, and so opened a pretty view. Through 
this runs a streamlet, aud we grouped the Poets’ Narcissus near it, and in a little orchard that lay near, and through a 
grove of Oaks. We have had some beauty every year since, but this year the whole landscape was a picture, such as 
one might see in an Alpine valley 1 The flowers were large and beautiful when seen near at hand, and the effect in 
the distauce was delightful. I need say no more to illustrate the capabilities of this magnificent group of plants for 
wild gardening. There are many estates which have much greater advantages than mine in showing the beauty of 
the Narcissus, in the rich stretches of grassland, pleasure-ground walks, etc., where various points may be adorned 
in the ways indicated— meadows, woods, copses, wood walks, margins of lakes and ponds, and drives through orna- 
mental woodland, and pleasure parks, where the grass need not be mown till the foliage of the plants is somewhat 
matured.” 
12 and 13 King Street, Covent Garden , 1893.] 
