October 22, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
365 
in field or garden. I conclude now that there is a succession belonging 
to both the spring and summer broods, their appearance being gradual, 
so that while young caterpillars are feeding, hatched from eggs laid 
by butterflies early out of the chrysalis, more butterflies are emerging 
from that stage of life. It is probable some of the chrysalids. are 
destroyed by birds, because the insect thrives most where there are 
plenty of places in which it can find concealment during the period 
of torpidity amongst palings, walls, and the like. Hide as it may, 
however, a tiny parasite (Pteromalus Brassicas) finds the chrysalis 
when yet soft, and depositing a hundred or more eggs thereupon 
renders its appearance as a butterfly impossible. Equally valuable to 
us are the services rendered by another parasitic fly called Microgaster 
glomeratus. This attacks the caterpillar before pupation, and numbers 
of them may be seen upon walls, shrivelling up in a vain attempt to 
transform, while soon after their bodies are covered with the yellow 
silky cocoons spun by the fly maggots. Some persons who really 
ought to know better take these to be the eggs of the caterpillar, and 
so they crush them, thereby killing the germs of a friendly insect, 
for the influence of these flies in keeping the species under is con¬ 
siderable. 
All chrysalids seen should of course be removed. Many may be 
found from autumn to spring, and again in June those producing the 
second or summer brood are about. Proceedings against the cater¬ 
pillars maybe taken in various ways. Some gardeners have employed, 
it seems, children to pick them off, paying so much a pint for the 
caterpillar carcases ; this cannot well be done except in a limited 
area. Dressings that would destroy caterpillars on many plants are 
not, for obvious reasons, suitable of application to Cabbages ; watering 
them with brine, lime water, or weak soapsuds might be safely tried, 
and the effect of simply drenching the plants with water is good, the 
colder it is the better, since it produces a very injurious effect upon 
the caterpillars, they are unable to eat, and die off speedily. 
Allied to the Cabbage moth and placed in the same genus is the 
species called the Dot (Mamestra Persicaria). The moth is of a dark 
or chestnut brown, with a conspicuous spot of white upon the fore 
wings, hence the English name. The caterpillar is rather given to 
wander from plant to plant, feeding on various species in the flower 
or kitchen garden, and it has been taken upon Cabbages during July 
and August. When adult it is 1| inch in length, greenish or 
brown, the head being small and glossy ; on the sides are a series of 
markings resembling the letter V, with the point directed towards 
the tail. It is one of those caterpillars that are frequently devoured 
by birds. A rarer species of this group, M. albicoloD, is occasionally 
found as caterpillar on Lettuces and Cabbages ; it favours the west 
of England. 
Although Hadina oleracea has, beside another familiar name> 
received that of the pot herb moth, it is commonly reared upon 
such wild plants as Nettles and Docks, but still sometimes makes an 
irruption upon our gardens, where the caterpillar hides at or just 
above the roots of several vegetables of low growth, including the 
Cabbage. It is much lighter in colour than that of the Cabbage 
moth, usually green, marked with black and white, feeding in August 
and September. As a remedy, diluted gas liquor may be poured round 
the stems of plants, or soot, lime or ashes wetted with oil of tar 
Bprinkled upon the soil. We must at least mention the caterpillar of 
the silver Y moth (Plusia Gamma) as an insect that may be taken 
feeding upon Cabbages. It is what is called a half-looper, having 
only twelve feet, grey in colour with lines of pale yellow, but seldom 
troublesome in Britain. On the Continent it positively swarms in 
some kitchen gardens, devouring every plant that is accessible.— 
Entomologist. 
NOTES UPON DAFFODILS AND NARCISSI. 
It is doubtful whether any flowers are more popular than 
these. At the present time the general demand for them is 
enormous, and has been for several seasons past; but an 
immense impetus was given to a previously large trade by 
the Daffodil Conference held in London in April, 1884, when a 
magnificent display was made. Previous to this they were 
admired by a large circle of enthusiasts, but the number has 
greatly increased. Many amateurs, however, are not satisfied 
with some of the bargains they purchase; cheap offersof Daffodils 
are taken advantage of, but when the flowering season comes, the 
wild N. Pseudo-Narcissus, collected, may be, direct from some 
meadow or wood, is found to be the one in the garden, and a 
disappointment is experienced. The price of many of the best 
varieties is much against their cultivation. We may hope they 
will be within reach of most of the flower-loving public at some 
time; meanwhile, much greater discrimination might be exer¬ 
cised in purchasing the cheaper but really beautiful kinds in 
limited quantities for garden decoration, rather than spending 
even small amounts upon one common variety. No wonder 
Daffodils are so popular when we consider their hardy constitu¬ 
tion, time of flowering, and their value as garden ornaments and 
for floral decoration. If a good selection is made a long feast of 
their beautiful forms may be enjoyed for many weeks of the 
spring season, beginning with the little nanus—often called the 
“Fairy Daffodil ’ in Ireland—and obvallaris, and ending with 
the later varieties of N. poeticus. Their value in a cut condition 
can scarcely be over-estimated. 
The demand for some varieties is enormous. For instance, I 
knew one grower who sent not less than 500 dozens of N. poeticus 
ornatus to one florist in Scotland the day before Good Friday 
last, and every one were sold ; and turning to some correspond¬ 
ence I have upon the subject 1 notice that one grower in the 
Scilly Isles sent off, mainly to London market, not less than 
2000 dozens of the same variety during Easter week, while as 
many as 8000 dozen blooms, of only a few kinds, were despatched 
in one week by the same grower, and all realised a remunerative 
price, so much so that their culture is being largely extended, 
about five acres of land being now occupied with them. One 
word of advice is useful on this point. They should be cut in an 
advanced bud state, and expanded in water, if in a warm room 
or greenhouse so much the better; the flowers will be much 
larger, cleaner, and last longer than if allowed to remain upon 
the plants until quite expanded. This is an immense advantage, 
especially when required for sending a long distance; the forward 
buds can be cut, stood in water for a time, and then pack for 
ravelling. 
A few words as to the best method of growing Daffodils may 
be useful now, as this is the season for planting. As little 
delay as possible should be allowed now, as it is quite time the 
bulbs were under tbe surface. They can be arranged in clumps, 
lines, or separate beds. I much like to see them in separate 
beds even if small, but as that method occupies a large amount 
of space when a large collection is dealt with, it cannot be 
generally commended. I have many thousands, all of which are 
arranged in lines in beds about 4 feet wide. Clumps are very 
convenient for borders, but it is neceessary to label carefully and 
to mind the tallies are not lost. The Polyanthus varieties do 
best in a warm sunny position as well as the silver Trumpet 
varieties, such as moschatus. All require a well-drained soil, 
well enriched with rotten manure ; that from a stable I have 
found most satisfactory. A deep stirring of the soil is needful, 
and the manure should be placed beneath the bulbs, a little soil 
being put between so that they are not in direct contact with it. 
This means a little extra trouble, but the result is more than 
commensurate with the labour incurred. Big bold Daffodils 
will be the reward, as well as unusual bulb-development, which 
in the case of choice forms means much. Under this treatment 
my stock of Empress doubled itself in one season, while 300 
bulbs of poeticus ornatus, planted last autumn, produced when 
lifted in July last 930 bulbs, none very small, and many much 
larger than the originals. 
Usually we call all the Narcissi Daffodils, but this is not 
quite right. I think the term should be applied to the Trumpet 
series, of which our wild N. Pseudo-Narcissus is the type, while 
all the rest should be called Narcissi. Mr. Baker of New has 
made a very simple arrangement of the genus into three groups 
—viz., 1, Magni-coronatse, or Large Trumpet section, in which 
the trumpet is very large, and which at one time were classed 
under the generic name of Ajax; 2, Medii-coronatae, or Medium- 
cupped, including the peerless Daffodil of Parkinson (N. incorn- 
parabilis) and some others; and 3, Parvi-coronatse, or Small- 
cupped, the true Narcissi, of which the “ Poet’s Narcisse ” is the 
type. There are many hybrids in each section, between in¬ 
dividual members of the same and between those of different 
sections, so that you get now a well graduated line from the 
smallest to the largest cupped section. Many are natural 
hybrids, and a very large number are the result of artificial 
cross-breeding, and further crossing is being actively pursued by 
enthusiasts at the present time. Most interesting it is, as there 
is not much difficulty attending it; but much patience is required, 
as some years elapse before a seedling produces its first blossom 
—five or six on the average. 1 hope to see three most interesting 
bulbs flower next season, as I believe them to be asuccesful cross 
between N. Horsfieldi and N. triandrus, two such variable kinds, 
that something odd may be expected. 
It is extremely difficult to make a very rigid selection of 
these charming flowers to meet a general want. Everybody who 
wishes to grow them should see a good collection in bloom and 
make their own choice. I grow about 120 varieties, and made 
numerous notes at the time of flowering upon the best, with the 
idea of communicating them to the Journal earlier, but it is 
likely they will be interesting now that the bulb lists are being 
