September 20, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
249 
.the opening, and cover again with the soil ; the maximum of advantage 
js thus secured. This method of planting is easily accomplished if 
all the varieties are arranged in one bed or border, but in the mixed 
border it is different. It will be necessary to dig holes a foot or 
more deep, arrange the manure in the bottom, placing some soil over 
it, upon which plant the bulbs—say about 4 inches below the surface. 
A few species are benefited if some sand is placed about the bulbs, 
especially if the latter are inclined to decay at the base ; this effects 
•drainage, and is helpful in other ways, but the majority do not require 
such attention. It is remarkable the length of time some kinds will 
Jay dormant after being imported ; especially is this the case with the 
North African species— e.g ., bulbs of the rare N. Broussonettii were 
tpotted three years before they showed signs of foliar development, 
and during the spring and early this year it produced leaves 30 inches 
long, and I hope to see flowers of it next year ; and the little bulbs 
•of N. monophyllus remain dormant for a year or two, or even longer 
sometimes after being imported. This little gem does well in a few 
places outside, but in most it requires the protection of a frame or 
•handlight. 
Below is a list of species and varieties all worthy the space in 
'however select a garden they may be planted, and to which many 
might be added, but these will serve as a good nucleus to a more 
••extended collection :— 
SECTION 1.—THE TRUMPET DAFFODILS. 
N. bicolor. —The typical form is later in flowering than most of 
.the. varieties here enumerated—very desirable on that account. I 
noticed they flowered with me in the following order :>—Ilorsfieldi, 
Empress, Albidus, Sulphurescens, Major, and the type. Such a series 
lasting a considerable time ; indeed, they formed the most attractive 
.group during the season. Horsfieldi is dwarf and very free, with 
white perianth and deep golden yellow trumpet. Empress is very 
similar in flower, but there are points of distinction, but is a more 
vigorous grower, and one of the finest of all Daffodils. Albidus and 
•Sulphurescens are two very desirable kinds, the trumpets yellow and 
fhe perianths sulphur, very large bold flowers. Major is in the same 
way, but with very fine stout flowers, extremely vigorous, and late 
flowering. I have also J. B. M. Camm, and one named in honour of 
Mrs. Camm, but as my bulbs were small they only produced moderate 
flowers this year, but they are very promising varieties, and will most 
likely hold their own. 
The Silver Daffodils ( N. cernuus and moschatus ) are both very 
■ charming kinds, the perianths and trumpets of a pale straw colour, 
very silvery in cernuus, and they are sweetly scented, especially 
moschatus. Cernuus pulcher is a very handsome form, with a larger 
trumpet than the type, while the double variety is charming but 
•unfortunately very rare. I know of one place where a good bed of 
it has existed for years undisturbed. 
N. lorifolius is a free and showy species ; perianth sulphur, 
■.trumpet yellow ; but a variety of it under the name of Emperor is 
vastly superior as a decorative kind. The flowers are larger and with 
more substance in them—a fitting companion for Empress. 
N. pseudo-Narcissus (the common Lent Lily) is by no means a 
•despicable plant—on the other hand, very desirable. The variety 
pallidus is extremely pretty, the perianth and trumpet pale sulphur, 
flowering early. Plenus is extremely pretty and scarce, the segments 
bright yellow and sulphur, evenly arranged and sweetly scented. I 
prefer this to any other double Daffodil under cultivation. 
N. minor. —The true variety is very distinct from nanus ; it is 
deep yellow, whereas nanus is much paler, and the trumpet is longer 
• and more deeply frilled round the margin. N. minimus is a minute 
Lac-simile of minor, the flowers little more than half an inch across 
and not much longer. It is very rare. 
N.princeps. —A very noble Daffodil; the perianth pale sulphur, 
'trumpet deep yellow, very long and heavily frilled, rather late in 
•flowering, and certainly one of the finest though not much known— 
•more is the pity, as it can be purchased at a low price. 
N. maximus. —Undoubtedly the finest yellow Trumpet. What a 
sea of gold is a large bed of it! The perianth and trumpet are 
intense golden yellow, the la ter dilated and deeply frilled at the 
mouth. Indispensable in every collection. Major, a less double 
kind, is frequently palmed off for it, but it is not nearly so good. 
The Tenby Daffodil ( N. obvallaris). —A deep yellow, almost a 
.self ; one of the best. A form of it named maximus is also good. 
N. lobularis. —A grand Daffodil, dwarfish, with a sulphur perianth 
and yellow trumpet. A duplex variety of this named grandiplenus 
produces dwarf very double flowers, very showy, and is frequently 
sent out under the name nanus plenus, but a double form of nanus does 
•not exist, as far as I know. 
SECTION 2.—N. POETICUS. 
The Poet's Narcissus (N. poeticus). —Well known and admired, 
with large, flat, pure white perianth and small orange-coloured 
corona ; highly esteemed for its purity of colour and perfume. 
There are several varieties of poeticus, which are so far distinct that 
they flower at different periods, without considering the slight floral 
differentiations, thus forming a beautiful successional series—flower¬ 
ing, if my notes do not misguide me, in the following order : 
angustifolius, flowers rather smaller than those of the type ; perianth 
flat, segments narrower, light red cup. Ornatus, flowers larger than 
the last; cup lemon edge with orange-red ; very fine. Flore-plenus, 
flowers large, very double, and—Gardenia-like—sweetly scented ; 
one of the most valuable for cutting. Grandiflorus, flowers larger 
than all, flat, pure white with crimson .cup ; a very fine form. 
Recurvus, perianth white with the divisions recurved, with a pale 
orange-red cup. 
N. gracilis. —A slender-growing charming species with umbels 
of flowers ; perianth about 14 inch across, yellow; the cup small, 
rather lighter in colour ; flowering with the Poet’s Narciss.. N. bi- 
florus, the common Twin-flowering Narciss, very free-grow'ing and 
hardy, increasing rapidly, forming dense clusters of umbels ; the 
flowers white and yellow. This is a native species, and can be 
purchased very cheaply. 
N. Burbidgei. —This is but a sub-species, originated among Mr. 
Barr’s great collection, and I class it with this series. What may be 
regarded as the type of this group produces flowers with flat white 
perianth and cinnabar-red cups, the latter small but rather larger 
than those of poeticus. From the numerous forms of Burbidgei I 
select the following as being the best :—Delicatus, large flowers ; 
perianth light sulphur, cup yellow, very clear ; a very charming 
variety. Grandiflorus, perianth white, cup deep red edged with 
orange ; flow'ers large and very showy. Marginatus, perianth white, 
cup lemon margined with deep orange. This is extremely pretty, 
and, in my opinion, the best of the series. Primulinus, perianth 
light primrose, cup deep cinnabar red ; a very attractive variety. 
But I must not occupy more 6pace in describing other varieties, but 
it is really difficult to stop where all are good, and we must not 
forget that the sub-species is named in honour of Mr. F. W. Bur- 
bidge, the “ Daffodil’s artist.” 
SECTION 3.—MEDIUM-CROWNED, INCLUDING THE PEERLESS, 
MONARCH, AND MOCK NARCISSUS. 
The Peerless Narcissus (N. incomparable) produces umbels of 
yellow and sulphur-coloured flowers, with large flat perianths. _ There 
are now, however, such a multitude of varieties that it is difficulty to 
select the best without taking into consideration all the sub-species 
which have been made, and these appear ever to be on the increase. 
But how slight are the variations upon which they are based ! Thus 
we have Barri, Leedsi, Nelsoni, and Vincenti, and around these are 
arranged a series of varieties, but I am at a loss to discover the points 
of difference between the types, saying nothing of the distinctions 
between many of the forms. Of the incomparabilis section proper 
I ma} r mention the following :—Albidus, perianth pale sulphur, very 
large and regular, cup clear yellow ; aurantius, perianth sulphur, cup 
deep orange red, very showy ; albus, perianth white, cup deep yellow ; 
albus aureo-tinctus, perianth white, cup lemon-coloured, margined and 
tinged with orange ; Crawfordi, pex'ianth white, cup large, clear 
yellow ; magnifieus, perianth pale sulphur-white, cup very large, deep 
yellow, very showy ; plenus aurantius (Orange Phoenix, “Butter and 
Eggs ”), large double flowers, primrose and deep orange ; pi. sulphu- 
reus (Sulphur Kroon, “Codlings and Cream”), very large double 
flowers, white and primrose, very showy ; sulphureus, perianth sul¬ 
phur, cup large, deep yellow. 
N. Barri , perianth pale primrose, cup clear yellow', very pretty ; 
albidus, perianth nearly pure white, flat, large, cup deep lemon ; 
aurantium grandiflorus, perianth very large, pure white, cup deep 
orange crimson ; this I considered the showiest of all this section. 
Stellatus albus, perianth white, the divisions slightly stellate,. cup 
sulphur ; sulphureus, perianth pale sulphur, cup deep yellow ; this is, 
perhaps the second best of the series. 
N. Leedsi , perianth white, very ample, cup of nearly the same 
colour or very pale lemon ; amabilis, perianth pale yellow, cup lemon, 
very delicate and beautiful; Gem, perianth large, pure white, cup 
lemon ; this is one of the best of this group. Superbus, perianth 
silvery white, very even, cup very pale straw colour or quite white ; 
truly a superb variety. 
The Jonquils.— N. odorus. —These belong to this section, and are 
almost indispensable for the borders or pot culture. The common 
single and Campernelle varieties are much esteemed for the deep 
yellow sweetly scented flowers ; minor produces very small rich- 
coloured flowers. The Silver Jonquil is N. tenuior, and a charming 
little kind it is with its small silvery wdiite flowers. The double form 
of this is called “Queen Anne’s Double Jonquil.” The flowers are 
very double, creamy white, sweetly scented. All these are very 
easily grown, and none are expensive, so there is no reason why they 
should not be much more abundant in our gardens than they now are. 
