4 
BARR’S Gold Medal English Daffodils, 1896. 
CULTURE, ADAPTATION, Etc., OF THE DAFFODIL. 
DAFFODILS are the most graceful and beautiful of all hardy Spring flowers ; they have for centuries 
adorned our gardens, and withstood uninjured our severest winters better than any other flower of 
Spring. 
For beds mixed borders and shrubberies, the Daffodil surpasses all Spring flowers in beauty and for general 
effect and when it is naturalized in grass, in orchards, woodlands, sloping banks, meadows, margins of lakes and ponds, 
the effect is superb. All Daffodils may be naturalized out of doors. Many sorts which do not thrive when 
cultivated in gardens will succeed if planted out in the orchard, meadow, hedgerow, or grassy banks sloping 
towards the north, aud loft undisturbed. In such places the noble flowers of the Daffodil are seen to great 
advantage. The slender and dwarf-growing kinds, Nanus, Minimus, Junclfollus, Trlandrus, Corbularlas, 
Cyclamineus, etc., do well on rockwork aud select places in grass; we can also recommend, in the case of 
these slender growing little Daffodils, carpeting the ground with close-growing aud surface-rooting creeping plants, 
such as the Thymus Serpyllum varieties, Thymus lanuginosus, Herniarla glabra, etc., these providing a 
natural protection for the little bulbs, besides beeping their dainty blooms from being splashed aud soiled in 
rainy weather ; Minimus, Juncifolius, and Triaudrus are found wild in mountain pastures where the soil is shallow 
and firm ; Corbularia and Cyclamineus where the soil is soft and wet in winter and spring. Mr. T. H. Burroughes, 
Stamford, has, since 1887, grown successfully Corbularia citriua as a semi-aquatic in milk pans aud other contri- 
vances without drainage, sunk into the ground so that the tops are four iuches below the surface. Peaty soil is 
then filled in to the level of the surrounding ground ; in the upper four iuches, which is always moist, the bulbs are 
planted and root into the lower soil, which should he perpetually wet. We recommend Mr. Burroughes' culture, 
having followed it with success at our Nurseries. The bottom of a rock garden would also admirably suit, as the 
drainage from the rockwork would accomplish this without extra labour. Rev. Charles Watson, Liugs, grows 
N. Cyclamineus with great success in moist loam under a wall facing the north-east. 
For pot-culture The Daffodil is invaluable, affording in early Spring a charming deooratiou for the greenhouse 
and sitting-room ; its flowers, with their delicate shades, form a pleasing contrast to Hyacinths and Tulips. 
Daffodil flowers can he had from January to June, firstly, by planting early, in pots or boxes to force, and, 
SECONDLY, by planting out-doors, in succession, from September to Christmas. The late plantings flower m May. 
In arranging Daffodils for effect in the flower garden, or in potting up for indoor decoration, lot it be borne in 
inind they bloom in natural succession, particulars of which are given under the heading of each group. First, the 
Trumpet Daffodils which are among the earliest, one following the other from February to Mny. Second, Incom- 
parabilis, Barrii, Leedsii, Odorus, Triaudrus, Early-flowering Poeticus, and Burbidgeis, which begin flowering in 
March and succeed each other till May. Third, Nelsoni, Tridymus, Backhousei, Bernardi, and Jonquils. Fourth, 
Biflorus, late-flowering Poeticus and Burbidgeis, Schizanthes and Gracilis, which form a succession of flowers 
to June. In the middle season, representatives from all the groups may be found in bloom at the same time, 
therefore, those who can make but one visit to our Bulb Nurseries at Surbiton should do so in April. When 
grown under glass, all the Daffodils flower probably a month earlier than the periods above named 
CULTURE AND ADAPTATION OUT OF DOORS.— The Daffodil may he grown in any soil and situation, 
but likes best a good pasture loam, and, in the warmer parts of England, a situation should l>e chosen facing north 
or north-east, but protected from cutting winds. The ammoniaoal compounds in manure are poison to the Daffodils, 
and therefore should he avoided. Very poor soils may he rendered suitable by manuring and taking a potato 
crop off, after which Daffodils may safely be planted, and, as a harmless and good stimulant, hone meal may be 
mixed with the soil in the proportion of IJ oz. to the square yard or 4 cwt. per acre. In planting, the top of the 
bulb should be two to three inches below the surface, according to its size; in permanent beds, etc., summer 
flowers may he cultivated over the bulbs. For such beds use the large-flowering trumpet varieties, also Iucoui- 
parabilis, Barrii, Leedsii, Nelsoni, and Burbidgei varieties ; for edgings, use the dwarf growing kiuds, Cyclamineus, 
Minor, Nanus, Minimus, Triandrus albus, Juncifolius, and Corhularias. White Trumpet Daffolils more especiallij 
thrive best in a shady situation. 
CULTURE AND ADAPTATION INDOORS.— Use three to six bulbs of strong-growing sorts, according to 
size of bulb, for a 4 or 5-inch pot ; of small-growing kinds, such asN. Minimus, Nanus, Minor, Cyclamineus, Triandrus, 
Juncifolius, and Corbularia, a greater number of bulbs should boused. These dwarf-growing, small-flowered species 
are most charming in pots (see “ Dock-Garden " Collections, page 6). If Daffodils are grown in quantity for cutting 
early in the season, plant thickly in boxes, 5 to 6 inches deep, aud only just cover the bulbs with soil, using 
ordinary potting soil. The pots or boxes should then be placed out of doors, on a bed of ashes, and covered with 
6 inches of the same material, or with cocoa fibre, if it can be had. When the bulbs have filled the pots or boxes with 
roots, and made an inch or two of top growth, portions may be removed indoors, in succession, to n moist forcing- 
house, and plentifully supplied with water, care being taken that the plants do not get drawn, from an insufficient 
supply of light aud air. 
Cut blooms of Daffodils are always acceptable, and are in abundance out of doors at a season when other flowers 
are scarce. They supplement and associate admirably with hot-house flowers. 
DAFFODIL NOTICES. 
Our Nurseries, Long Ditton. — Visitors invited during Spring to see our magnificent Collection of Daffodils in 
bloom. The Nurseries are easily reached by the London and South-Western Railway to Surbiton Station, 
and from thence i/-cab fare to “ Pound Farm” entrance to our Nursery. 
Cut Daffodil Flowers. — When in bloom out-of-doors, cut specimens of Daffodils, correctly named, we 
forward post-paid at a moderate charge, to cover attendant expenses, thus offering a good opportunity to 
those who wish to extend their knowledge of these lovely flowers of spring. If a list of the varieties possessed 
by the sender is enclosed, such sorts will be omitted. A remittance should accompany the order. 
i flower each of 12 sorts, 2/6 ; 1 each of 25 sorts, 4/6 ; 1 each of 50 sorts, 7/6. 
3 flowers „ 12 „ 5/ ; 3 >> 2 5 .» 8/6 ; 3 ,, 50 ,, 15/. 
Cut Daffodil flowers (without names) in variety, for decoration, 5/6, 7/6 & 10/6 per 100. 
tGT Naming Daffodils.— Cut specimens of Daffodils we undertake to name correctly, at the charge of 
6d. each, 2 s. 6d. per dozen, 15*. per 100, to cover attendant expenses. Address all cut specimens to 
be named, accompanied by a remittance, to our Nurseries, Long Ditton, Surrey. 
Illustrations, for list of these, see page 17 ; and for particulars of our 1896 Coloured Plate , see page 5. 
Barr’s Daffodil Prizes to be awarded Spring, 1897, see page 6. 
