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BARR’S HARDY DAFFODILS, AND WHAT THE PRESS SAYS OF THEM. 
For Sale, a Copy of John Parkinson’s "PARADISI IN SOLE PARADISUS TERRESTRIS," First Edition, 
old calf, 1629, folio, in very good preservation ; a bargain, £6 6s. 
BAR R’ S 
HARDY ENGLISH DAFFODILS, DAFFODO WNDILLIES. 
To these was Awarded the only Gold Medal of the Daffodil Conference, held In the Chiswick 
Gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, April 15th, 1890. 
NEWSPAPER NOTICES, 1895. 
“ When the hurd frosts and nipping winds of a few weeks since were bliirhting and blackening all but. the 
very hardiest of evergreens in our parks, it is satisfactory to know that the Daffodil, which defies alike the smoke 
of London and the rigours of the severest winters which are known in these isles, suffered not the least harm. 
Favoured by genial days and nights on the threshold of May, they have come forth this season in their fullest 
splendour, and the famous grounds of Messrs. Barr and Sou at Long-Ditton were yesterday bright with sheets of gold, 
contrasting effectively with wide plots of blue and purple MuscariB, scattered patches of pale Narcissi, and beds of 
Tulips of every hue. The Long-Dittou ground, as we have already had occasion to observe, extends to some fifteen 
acres, of which five or six are devoted to Daffodil culture ; yet, in this little flower farm every year millions of bulbs 
are raised. The Daffodils alone now count over five hundred varieties from small to great, white and yellow. 
Trumpet Daffodils, and the beautiful new Queen of Spain. All parts of The world have rewarded the toils and 
privations of the Daffodil hunter, but Spain seems to have been in a marked degree the happy bunting ground of 
those who devote themselves to this fascinating pursuit. Rare Pmonies have also been collected by Mr. Barr in 
Spain, samples of which, not yet in blossom, were to be seen yesterday of those sent home, 1804. They were found in 
the mountain districts not remote from the land of stream and forest in which the gentle enthusiast of La Mancha 
sallied forth with his trusty squire in quest of adventures. The Spanish peasants, it seems, marvel at the English 
stranger’s insatiable craving for roots and bulbs, and call him * herb gatherer,’ and cannot divest themselves of the 
notion that these botanical researches are connected with medicine. 
“ Meanwhile, Mr. Barr’s experiences of wanderings in wild districts of the Spanish Peninsula afford little 
confirmation of the popular belief of the perils of travels in Spain. Warnings of danger from brigands he has 
indeed had, but up to the present the brigands have not appeared. Perhaps a poor ‘ herb gatherer ' is not considered 
worth molesting. Hence Mr. Barr’s only anxiety was how to get his botanical treasures conveyed without injury to 
their destination on the banks of the Thames.* 
“ The great source of the best new varieties, however, is the simple yet wonderful practice of cross-fertilization. 
This process is now engaging much attention at Long-Ditton. 
“ It is easy enough, consisting only of the transference of the pollen or fertilizing yellow powder from the anthers 
of one blossom to the stigma of another. The breeding process, nevertheless, needs care, for the bees who were 
humming about the flowers yesterday as busily as if midsummer were upon us, would speedily interfere with the 
florists’ operations after the manner that Darwin has so minutely described. Among the novelties to which attention 
was directed yesterday was the beautiful Weardale Perfection, as yet so scarce that a single specimen is valued at 
Twelve Guineas. It is an English seedling with leaves measuring one inch across, and a flower that has a diameter 
of about six inches. The Madame de Graaff and Glory of Leiden, and the bold rich-hued flowers of Gloria 
Mundi with its brilliant orange chalice, also attracted attention yesterday. 
“ The Daffodils, however, were not without rival claimants to notice. There were the large-flowered species of 
Dog’ f -Tooth Violet?, various choice varieties of Fritillarias with their beautiful spotting, and others. Lastly, there 
were the beds of Tulips in which the scarlet, rose, vermilion, crimson, purple, pink, white, and pale yellow tints 
needed only a gleam of sunshine to bring out their splendid combinations of colour. 
“ Unfortunately, the sky was dull, and a gentle shower, though it gladdened the hearts of the Tulip and Daffodil 
growers, speedily turned the thoughts of visitors to railway time-tables and the best modes of getting up to town.” — 
Daily News, April H & tli , 1895. 
AMONGST THE DAFFODILS. 
” When one reaches the Loug-Ditton Nurseries of Messrs. Barr and Son, Covent Garden, he is certainly amongst 
the Daffodils. The picture is glorious, and at the same time impressive, such as can only be seen at rare intervals. 
Great breadths of all the most popular varieties are seen, such, for instance, as a plot of Barrii conspicuus. 
containing something like 20,000 bulbs. Impress this fact on the mind, and endeavour to realize what the effect will 
be. Near at hand is a stretch of Emperor, with its stout foliage and htuidsome substantial flowers. Here are about 
12,000 roots, and the effect is perhaps even more striking. Certainly, seen as they are at Long-Ditton, Daffodils are 
well worthy of their popularity, and one might say of even more than is at present accorded to them. 
‘‘The names of Barr and Daffodils may now safely be termed synonymous, and it is just possible that the 
compilers of the next big dictionary will so far recognize the fact as to place it on permanent record. There can be 
little doubt that if a letter was addressed to Messrs. Daffodil & Sons, the postal authorities would promptly deliver it at 
12, King Street, Covent Garden, and in doing so they would be right. If one might be allowed to coin a new word 
one might dub Mr. Peter Barr a datfodilist, because he has in collecting and studying them, made himself conversant 
with their history and with the varieties now grown to a remarkable extent. He has wandered (by no means aimlessly) 
over thousands of miles, ever on the look out for something new, and it is to these journeys that we are iudebted for 
many extremely beautiful introductions — ( The Queen of Spain, Narcissus, for instance). In this good work of finding 
new forms and studying old, Mr. Barr has found an able colleague and lieutenant in his son, Mr. William Barr. As 
all lovers of Daffodils thirst for novelties, and knowing that the Messrs. Barr will continue their energetic labours, 
they may be sure of having their wishes gratified to a good extent; and in the furthering of the popularity and 
increasing the cultivation of these plants the firm will, doubtless, secure the reward it so very richly deserves. 
“ To name all the sorts that are grown at Long-Ditton would be a very big task, but perhaps a short selection may 
prove acceptable to those readers of the Journal who have not been able to see for themselves. 
“ First on the list must come the superb Weardale Perfection, which was figured in the Journal of Horticulture 
for April 19th, 1894. It is certainly one of the most massive of the large trumpet section, though it is closely followed 
by Glory of Leydhn, which with the first named should on no account be omitted from a collection that has aspira- 
tions to perfection. Belonging to this group is Madame de Graaff, white or very pale sulphur colour. Such 
varieties as Emperor, Empress, Horsefieldi, and Her Majesty, are so highly appreciated they need no words here. 
P. R. Barr, a seedling from Emperor, has numerous admirers. 
** Belonging to another section, and different in every way, is Lefdsii Beatrice, one of the most chastely beautiful 
varieties in commerce. The flower is almost pure white. Another Leedsii of merit is Gem. Of the Barriis probably 
Barrii Conspicuus is the best, but another charming form is Sensation. 
‘‘ Of the Incomparabilis group Sir Watkin is usually accorded the place of honour, but another equally worthy 
of mention is Gloria Mundi, which is not quite so large and has a much flatter cup. Other grand sorts are 
Sulphureus Hogarth, Jas. Bateman, and Duchess of Westminster. Besides these there are the over popular 
Poet’s Narcissi and the charming double forms, but sufficient have now been mentioned to give an idea of how 
diversified is the collection.” — Journal of Horticulture, May 2nd, 1895. 
m Travelling in Spain is attended with less danger to purse and person than jierhaps any other country in Europe. 
Brigandage ' is a thing of the past. The writer of this footnote, Mr. Barr, has travelled a great portion of the Peninsula 
on four different occasions, occupying in all about, twelve months, and in no single instance ha< lie to complain of the people 
he travelled amongst ; oftentimes he met with exceptional kindness in assistance and hospitality, and, wh at, is remarkable, 
lie knew not their language, so that all was dumb show. Spain is grand hunting ground for the botanist • it i> a land of rich 
scenery for the artist, a sanitotiunx for the invalid, and for the pleasure-hunter and the indolent, all they could desire. 
(Barr and Son, 12 and 13 King Street, Covent Garden, 1895.) 
