What the Gardening Papers say of Barr’s Daffodils. 
33 
finish his sentence Mr. Dewar drew from behind him the best Emperor he 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 tli.e 
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 ? ’ asked No. 1 of the experts, in surprise, * that is something very extraordinary ! ’ * Wonder- 
ful ! ' observed No. 2. ‘ Never saw anything like it ! * remarked No. 8. 4 No/ the Master dryly chimed in, ‘ because 
there is nothing like it ; it is Weardale Perfection.’ The trumpet was two inches long, symmetrical, and rocurviug 
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 haudsome varieties in the Ajax section wore 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 Marla, 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. Gamin, 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 tbeir neatness. 
“Small, in comparison with those mentioned, yet smooth, distinct, and beautiful, are the Johnstoni varieties 
Queen of Spain and Mrs. George Cammell. The first is the most, effective iu a mass, hut 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 Groavenor, and Snowflake, attracted attention 
in passing down the beds, by their soft chaste beauty, but there are several more of these ‘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 iu chimps 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- 
purabilis 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/ say 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 
Vilmorm, General Murray, Orpliee, Crown Prince, Flora Wilson, and Dorothy Wemyss, all press their claims to 
attention. Passing the distinct Nelsoni, Backhousei, Macleai, Bernard!, Tridymus and Triandrus varieties not 
because they are inferior, hut 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 ‘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 
Barr, Model, Ossian, John Bain, Little Dirk, Baroness Heath, and Crown Princess, jotted down in the pocket 
hookas possessing attractive characteristics in either form or colour, or both ; and then there are 4 Poets ’ by the 
score, a whole army of them, early and late in all their iiearly beauty. 
I he entire collection at Long Ditton represents a great national or international museum of Daffodils that 
could only bavo been provided by years of perseverance, great expenditure, and unceasing work, prompted by a deep 
love for the flowers that conquered aU difficulties, in acquiring so many, selecting them so well, ‘ weeding * them so 
carefully, aud arranging them so systematically ; and surely all who admire them must hope Mr. Barr will spend 
many happy years amongst thorn, and oujoy the reward to which ho is justly entitled/’— Own of tub Students. 
Tins is what Mr. William Robiusou said about Daffodils and their adaptation, in 
his Paper at the Conference on Hardy Flowers, Chiswick, July 7 and 8, 1S(U. 
“ 'f, he important of all early flowers is the Narcissus. Five years ago I planted many thousands iu (he 
grass, the most important being the Star Narcissus (N. incomparabilis, &c.) in great variety. They have thriven adrnir. 
aldy, flowered well and regularly, and the flowers are large and haudsome, and have not diminished in size. In open 
r ‘ C v “!rf bottoms - nIon « hedgerows, in quite open loamy fields, in every position I have tried them. They a,o 
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 aud open copses, which abound in so many English country places. With the 
common English, Irish and Scotch Daffodils I have hud good results, thriving better, and flowering much handsomer 
than tlie wild plant— not uncommon iu Sussex aud many other parts of England. The Tenby Daffodil is very sturdy 
and pretty, aud 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, &c.) 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. Throu.*h 
this runs a streamlet, and we grouped the Poets’ Narcissus uear it, and in a little orchard that lay near, aud through a 
grove of Oaks. Wo have had some beauty every year since, but this year the whole landscape was a picture, such as 
one might sec m an Alpme valley ! The flowers wero large aud beautiful when seen near at hand, aud the effect in 
the distance was delightful. I need say no more to illustrate the durabilities 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, 111 the rich stretches of grassland, pleasure-ground walks, etc., where various points may be adorned 
iu the ways Indicated— meadows, woods, copses, wood walks, margins of lakes and ponds, aud drives through orna- 
mental woodland, aud pleasure parks, where the grass need not he mown till the foliage of the plants is somewhat 
matured.” 
12 and 13 King Street, Covent Garden, 1892.] 
