428 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ November 12, 1885. 
representation of a bloom that was sent to us by an excellent cultivator 
of these flowers. 
AUTUMN AND CHRISTMAS ROSES. 
We have to-day (November 6th) gathered a large bunch of good 
Roses, including Dupuy Jamain (almost up to exhibition form), A. K. 
Williams, Charles Lefebvre, La France, Marquise de Castellane, Souvenir 
d’un Ami, Marie Van Houtte, Anna Ollivier, Rubens, Princess of Wales, 
Madame Charles, and others, and on coming to one of our Hellebores in a 
sheltered position with a west aspect, were surprised to see some fine 
flowers peeping out. This led to further investigation of our other plants, 
and we found the whole of these pushing out their buds strongly, and 
enough flowers fully out to make quite a show by the side of the other 
Roses. 
Is not this an unusually early date for Hellebores to flower in the 
open ground and on a cold soil ? They are the common white variety, and 
have had no protection or assistance whatever, and in all other respects 
the autumn has not been a growing one, as observed by “ D., Deal," on 
page 405. We propose planting some later sorts, and shall be glad of 
any information as to the best varieties.— North Herts. 
NOTES UPON DAFFODILS AND NARCISSI. 
( Continued from gtage 366.) 
Gnovr 1.—THE TRUMPET OR AJAX SECTION. 
N. bicolor. —A fine Pyrenean Daffodil, with large spreading 
pure white perianth and large golden yellow trumpet; a form 
named breviflos is often distributed for it, but is much inferior 
and cheaper, and does not flower at the same time. The typical 
form now mentioned comes in about a fortnight later than the 
well-known variety Horsefieldi. There are several varieties of 
this which I will mention in the order in which they blossom — 
Horsefieldi, the earliest, with large white perianth, and dilated 
long golden yellow trumpet, raised by the late John Horsefield 
of Whitfield, near Manchester, one of the finest, and followed by 
Empress, which resembles Horsefieldi very much, but is a 
stronger grower; there is not, however, <)uite so much substance 
in the flowers. Major is in its prime at the same time as the 
type, and has a long rather narrow trumpet, very distinct and 
beautiful; maximus follows closely, and is much larger than 
the last, and most conspicuous, while the list closes with Michael 
Foster, or sulphurescens, as it was formerly called, which pro¬ 
duces immense flowers with pale sulphur perianth and deep 
yellow trumpet with very broad glaucous foliage. 
N. Buxbocoditjm (the Hoop Petticoat Daffodil).—Easily 
known by its narrow-pointed perianth divisions and large 
crinoline-like trumpet of the richest yellow, is most charming 
for pot culture or the borders, preferring a moderately stiff soil 
and plenty of manure. The variety eitrinus, with pale sulphur 
flowers, is extremely pretty and well worth growing, as also is 
the white form monophyllus, if a small handlight or frame can 
be devoted to it, otherwise it will not thrive satisfactorily, for 
being a native of Algeria it is too tender to grow unprotected 
outside. 
N. lorifolius Emperor. —A magnificent variety, with pale 
sulphur divisions and very large deep yellow trumpet, and well 
merits its august name. As a companion to Empress it is most 
desirable. It was raised by a grower named Backhouse in York¬ 
shire, and was for a long time kept from commerce, and even 
now it is very uncommon. 
N. major. —This should be grown everywhere, as it is cheap 
and very showy, rich yellow throughout, the perianth divisions 
being rather paler than the trumpet. It grows freely, especially 
in a warm situation, and is very variable. There are many 
forms, of which the following may be noted—Maximus, a noble 
form, producing very large trumpets with broad spreading 
limbs of the richest golden colour, and should certainly find a 
place in every collection. Obvallaris, the Tenby Daffodil, is also 
most desirable, perfect in form, bright golden yellow ; the first 
of the large Trumpets to expand, standing uninjured during the 
severely rough weather we often get in March. Spurius is also a 
free early variety, while a form of it known as coronatus, also as 
General Gordon, is magnificent; the trumpet is very broad, at 
once a distinguishing feature, richyeUow, the spreading divisions 
much paler ; it is comparatively scarce yet, but should certainly 
be secured. 
N. moschatus, or “Silver Trumpet.” —The type of a 
very beautiful series of Daffodils which are well worthy being 
made a speciality, as they are so chaste and yet so hardy; the 
type is scarce. Albicans, usually vended as moschatus, is a 
robust grower with white divisions and large fringed pale prim¬ 
rose trumpet, very fine indeed. Cernuus is dwarfer, producing 
nodding flowers, with pale primrose trumpet and silver-white 
perianth divisions. Cernuus pulcher is similar, but the trumpet 
is much longer, forming a most elegant flower. Of the hybrids 
belonging to this class mention may be made of William Gold¬ 
ring, Exquisite, Mr. Cowan, F. W. Burbidge, Mrs. F. W. Bur- 
bidge, and Dr. Hogg, all of which are extremely handsome. The 
two first are the most abundant, but as yet they are compara¬ 
tively dear, but such gems should be secured if possible. I have 
everyone of those named, and nothing in my garden has given 
more pleasure this season. Mr. Cowan is very distinct, as the 
trumpet is very broad and short, pale primrose. 
N. Pseudo-Narcissus (the wild Daffodil).—I will only refer 
to the type as being useful for massing in woodlands, grass, &c., 
but there are several distinct and good forms which should be 
grown everywhere, and which are usually catalogued as distinct 
species. There is pallidus praccox (named thus by old John 
Parkinson) a very early-flowering Pyrenean form, with slightly 
drooping flowers of a pale sulphur colour throughout, the 
trumpet wide at the mouth. It is the first of all the Trumpet 
section to blossom, and should be sought. Princeps is very lovely, 
with a strong foothold in Ireland, varying considerably in form, 
size, and perianth colour; usually the latter is sulphur, and the 
trumpet deep golden yellow, sometimes very large, resembling 
maximus; hence Mr. Baylor Hartland of Cork has made a 
selection with rich yellow perianth, which he calls golden 
princeps, a most beautiful form. Pallidus produces creamy- 
white, sharp-pointed perianth divisions and brown trumpets very 
curly and delicate-looking, but in a well-drained position it does 
well; it comes from Spam.—J. T. R. 
(To be continued.) 
AUTUMN SHOWS. 
Exhibitors of Chrysanthemums will soon be actively engaged in 
preparing for the numerous shows announced for the present season, and 
the following list of fixtures may be useful as a reminder. Secretaries of 
Societies not mentioned will oblige by forwarding their schedules. 
November 11th and 12th.—National Chrysanthemum Society, Croydon, Bath, and Ascot 
„ ' 12th.—lValton-on-Thames, Staines, and Teddington. 
„ 12th and 13th.—Lindfleld, Portsmouth, and Tunbridge Wells. 
,, 13th.—Reading. 
„ 13th and 14th.—Huddersfield, Cheshunt, and Exeter. 
„ 14th.—Ramsbottom. 
,, 17th.—East Grins 1 ead Yeovil, and Devizes. 
„ 17Lh and 18th.—Lincoln, Manchester, and Winchester. 
„ 18th and 19th.—-Northampton. Bristol, Burton-on-Trent, and Birmingham. 
„ ]9th.—Taunton, Hammersmith, and Aylesbury. 
,, 19th and 20th.—Hull. 
„ 20 th and 21st.—Sheffield. 
„ 24th.—Liverpool. 
FLOWERING PLANTS FOR THE STOVE. 
Many beautiful flowering plants were cast on one side only a few 
years ago to make room for fine-foliage plants which were then so 
popular. Happily taste has changed, and useful flowering plants are 
now eagerly sought for, but I fear some old favourites will be a long 
time before they again find a place in gardens generally. This is largely 
due to the enormous quantity of choice flowers that are now required, 
therefore only profuse flowerers with a minimum of labour really come 
to the front. These notes are not intended to deal exclusively with plants 
that fulfil the requirements of the present time, but those named are 
worthy of a place in any garden however limited the collection. 
STEPHANOTIS. 
I should have thought that the old Stephanotis floribunda would have 
been the last plant that would have been condemned. Eucharis and 
Gardenias are great favourites, hut I think the flowers of the Stephanotis 
are superior, especially if the length of time the flowers last iu water is 
considered. The continuous flowering habit of the plant over a period of 
many months alone places it in the foremost position. Some contend 
that there are two varieties of this plant, one profuse-flowering, and the 
other shy ; this may he the case, but experience and observation seem to 
point to the contrary. I have two plants, one supposed to be the free- 
flowering sort, and the other the opposite. The past two years they have 
reversed their characters, and the last-named is now the free-flowerer, 
while the former has scarcely produced any flowers. This is by no means 
due to the varieties, but to the different positions the two plants occupy. 
The so-called free-flowering variety is growing in a shady portion of the 
house, while the other occupies a much lighter and more open position. 
A striking case came under my observation only a few years ago when 
practising further north. We had a plant in the fernery well exposed to 
light, air, and only an intermediate temperature. Often during the 
winter the portion of the house in which it grew was not much warmer 
than an ordinary greenhouse. I do not remember seeing a plant that 
produced the same quantity of flowers. A cutting was struck from this 
plant and placed in the stove, hut it only produced solitary trusses of 
bloom. The very same state of things I have observed in other garden?, 
hence the general opinion that there are two varieties. 
Frequently plants of Stephanotis aro to be found trained under the 
roof of an ordinary plant stove where a mixed collection of plants is 
grown, and the conditions of such a house are generally unsuited to 
flowering the plant profusely. It grows luxuriantly enough in a close 
moist shaded structure, such as the one indicated above, and that is all 
that can be said. The secret of growing and flowering this plant well is 
