4 
BARR’S Gold Medal DafFodils, 1903. 
CULTURE OF THE DAFFODIL OUTDOORS — continu.d. 
Method of Planting; Daffodils in Grass.— We recommend for this work our Special 
Bulb Planter {see ilhtstration, page 38). By the use of this implement the trouble of planting bulbs in 
grass is reduced to a minimum. It takes out a clean, circular little sod of turf 2 inches in diameter, and of 
sufficient depth. On making the second hole this piece of turf is released from the planter and lies ready 
on the ground to cover the bulb with. The soil is not in any way tightly pressed and made hard, which 
is the case when an ordinary dibber is used, and the appearance of the grass is not spoilt ; in fact, after 
planting io,cx)0 bulbs with this tool on a greensward, one could not detect that the grass had been touched. 
If the ground is very poor and thin, a compost of fresh soil with an abundance of Crushed Bones (7 lbs. 
to a bushel) should be made and dropped into each hole before placing in the bulb, a little more should 
be given as a covering, and then the sod of turf be replaced and pressed down. The bulbs will then be 
given a fair start in their new quarters. {For price of Barrs Special Bulb Flauter^ see page 38.) 
The Best Time for Plantingf In Grass is after the autumn rainSy while the ground 
is in a fairly moist condition. 
CULTURE OF DAFFODILS IN POTS OR BOXES. 
Time of Potting. — Pot as early in autumn as possible. 
The best compost to pot Daffodils in is a mixture of two-thirds good fibrous loam (which 
should be pulled to pieces by the hand and not passed through a sievCy so as to retain in the soil as 
much old root fibre as possible), and one-third old decayed leaf soil, with a sprinkling of sharp silver 
sand, adding lbs. of bone meal or Phytobroma {see page 39) to every bushel of soil, which mix 
well together before using. Never pot in soil that is wet or sticky. 
The pots should be carefully washed or wiped clean before using. Never pot in dirty or w:t pots. 
Good drainage should be secured by placing three or more pieces of broken crocks over 
the hole, placing the crocks with bevelled sides uppermost, then cover crocks with a little rough 
fibre from the loam. When boxes are used, the slit at bottom of box should be covered with crocks, 
a good layer of rough fibrous loam placed at bottom of box, or a layer of leaf soil to ensure perfect 
drainage. 
In pottingi the larger bulbs should be half covered with soil and the pots only filled to within 
half an inch of the rim to allow of watering when in growth. The small bulbs of the miniature species 
should be covered w»ith half an inch of soil. 
After potting, stand the pots or boxes outside in the open, under a north wall by preference, on a 
firm bottom such as a bed of ashes or gravel path to prevent the entrance of worms. The pots should 
be plunged bodily in Cocoa Fibre, ashes, or old decayed leaf soil, filling in the covering material in 
between the pots, which should be completely buried to a depth of 4 inches. This will secure a natural 
and moist condition to the bulbs and encourage root action. So long as the pots are plunged in the open 
they will require no watering. 
The pots or boxes should remain plunged for a period of not less than twelve 
weeks, after which portions may be removed indoors in succession, selecting first those which bloom 
naturally early. Place first in a cold frame, cool greenhouse, or cold sitting-room free from draughts, close 
to the glass. Very weak liquid manure-water may then be given once a week until they come into bloom. 
Those that are wanted in bloom early may, after the flower buds are advanced, be placed in a warmer 
temperature, such as a slow forcing-house, but this should never exceed 65“ if really fine blooms are 
desired. The plants should always be kept as near to the glass as possible and not allowed to got drawn, 
from an insufficient supply of light or air. On no account should bottom heat be given in forcing Daffodils. 
Of the stronger growing sorts use three to six bulbs, according to size of bulb, for a pot measuring 
4J to 6 inches in diameter ; of the small miniature kinds, such as N. Minimus, Nanus, Minor, Cyclamineus, 
Triandrus, Juncifolius, and Corbularias, use twelve to eighteen bulbs for a 45 to 6-inch pot. These 
small-flowered dwarf-growing species are most charming in pots or little shallow pans. The following 
may easily be had in bloom in January : — N. Minimus, Minor, Nanus, and Cyclamineus, and these may 
be mingled with Chionodoxas, as both bloom at the same period and produce a charming contrast. The 
White Hoop Petticoat Narcissus should be potted in almost pure sand kept well moist, and if placed 
at once in a cold frame after potting may be had in bloom by Christmas. {See Rock Garden Collections 
of Miniature DaffodilSy page 8.) 
If Daffodils are wanted in quantity for cutting early in the season, plant thickly in boxes, giving 
same culture as recommended above for growing in pots. Of the best varieties to grow for early forcing 
in boxes, the following command a first place : First early sorts — Queen of Spain, Henry Irving. 
Golden Spur, old Double Yellow Daffodil j Second early sorts — Emperor, Empress, Horsfieldii, P. K. Barr, 
Barrii conspicuus, Incomparabilis Beauty, and Stella superba. All the miniature Daffodils make chaiming 
pot plants, especially the following : N. MinimuSy N. Cyclamineus^ N. Triandrus albiis {AngePs Tears)^ 
and N. Juncifolius. 
1^" All Daflbdils may be grown in pots, but in the following pages we have indicated thus f those 
kinds which are best for this purpose. 
CULTURE OF DAFFODILS IN VASES AND BOWLS. 
A charming effect can be obtained by growing Daffodils in fancy vases or bowls, with or without 
drainage, by simply using our specially prepared Fertilised Cocoa Pibre and Charcoal Mixture ( 3 -^* 6c/. 
per bushel, if. per peck) ; the mixture is light, clean, and nice to handle, and remains sweet (an important 
matter where the vases used have no drainage holes) ; indeed, it is in every way superior to potting sou 
for growing Daffodils and other bulbs in fancy bowls and vases. 
