May 6, 1886 ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
363 
Primula Rusbyi, Greene, Journal of Horticulture , page 275,vo!. xii., 3rd aeries 
*silisburgensis, Schott „ 275 „ 
■Smdersiana, Royle = minutissima 
sapphirina, Hook. fit. and Thom. „ 275 „ 
JSauteri, Schott = minima 
-s capige-a , Hook. = petiolaria 
Scotica, Hook. = farinosa 
semperjlorens , Loisl = sinensis 
*serratifolia, Gusm. „ 275 „ 
sertulosa , Kicks = sinensis 
-sessilis, Royle = petiolaris 
Sieboldi, Mor. ,, 275 ,, 
■sibirica, Jacq. „ 275 ,. 
■Sibthorpi, Reich. = vulgaris var. 
sikkimensis, Hook. „ 275 „ 
simensis, Hochst = Boveana 
sinensis, Ldl. „ 291 „ 
. spathulacea , Jacquem. = elliptica 
spathulata, Hook. fil. = minutissima 
jpeciosa, Don = reticulata 
speciosa, Gusm. = farinosa 
spectabilis, Tratt „ 291 „ 
Stelviana, Yulp. = daonensis 
*3teinii, Obrist. „ 291 „ 
Stracheyi, Hook. fil. = minutissima var. 
stricta , Hornem. = farinosa 
Stuartii, Wall. „ 291 „ 
"Sturii, Schott. „ 291 „ 
suffrutescens, Gray „ 292 „ 
iridentata, Don = petiolaris 
truncata, Lehm. = minima var. 
turkestanica , Rgl. = nivalis var. 
tyrolensis, Schott. „ 317 „ 
undulata , h'isch = altaica 
venusta. Host „ 318 „ 
■*Venzoi, Hater „ 318 „ 
■venzoides, Huter = Yenzoi 
verticillata, Forsk „ 318 „ 
viscosa, Yill. „ 318 „ 
viscoaa var. major = Peyritschii 
vulgaris, Huds. „ 318 „ 
Warei, Stein = farinosa 
Wulfentana, Schott = spectabilis 
SELECT NARCISSI. 
The Narcissi are becoming far more popular than the most sanguine 
anticipated a few years ago, but it is certainly not the minute fanciful 
distinctions which are as puzzling to the connoisseur as to the novice 
that will assist in making them the plants for the masses; on the con¬ 
trary, the public taste is good as a rule, and requires something attrac¬ 
tive, and at the same time reasonably cheap. I need hardly refer to their 
complete hardiness, but as an instance I will just remark on an excep¬ 
tional test which came under my own observation during the recent severe 
frost. The case in point is that of Narcissus pallidus prtecox, the lovely 
new Pyrenean Daffodil, which when the last long-continued spell of frost 
set in was in bud, and numbers of them fully 4 inches high. In this stage 
they were compelled to remain for upwards of three weeks, during the 
first of which it thawed rapidly during the day with severe frost each 
succeeding night, the ground in consequence was in a bad condition 
-about them, and the test exceptionally severe. At the same time they 
withstood it bravely, and every flower ultimately developed well. N. 
'monophyllus had the protection of an old light and a couple of bags, and 
it flowered equally well. 
In my present note I have thought it may be of service at this time, 
when Daffodil displays are so numerous, to describe briefly some of the 
■best and most distinct contained in this genus of golden flowers, so that 
any wishing to make a choice selection of them may do so readily. 
It might be of interest if I take them, or at least the earliest portion of 
them, in the order in which they flower. In ordinary seasons N. pallidus 
jrsecox is amongst the earliest, its flowers coming in February abundantly, 
and a few in the latter part of the previous month, it has proved to be a 
most valuable early variety, is si mewhat variable in form, size and colour, 
that most generally seen being of a soft sulphur white ; it grows 8 inches 
■high with slightly drooping flowers, in some forms the trumpet is rather 
straight and inclined to the creamy white of N. cernuus, while in others it 
is bold and well reflexed. The next to flower are cambricus and obval- 
laris, the latter being the true Tenby Daffodil. The former has flowers with 
sulphur white perianth segments and yellow trumpet, while in the latter 
*the divisions of the perianth and also the trumpet are of a bright golden 
yellow. The trumpet is beautifully formed and well recurved at the mouth, 
always assuming a stiff sturdy habit of growth and invaluable for pots for 
early flowering for the border or rockery ; at about the same time we have 
nanus, minor, and minimus bursting into flower. These, from their 
diminutive growth, are specially adapted for the rockery or raised border, 
hardy, sufficiently showy for pot culture perhaps, but very pleasing and 
attractive for the purpose named. 
Then cones the native Lenten Lily, N. Pseudo-Narcissus, beautifully 
adapted for naturalising in woodlands or on grassy banks and slopes 
under trees—anywhere, in fact, this seems to thrive, and annually furnish 
abundant blossom. This is followed by N. lobularis, together with the 
■various forms of spurius, the best of which are N. spurius major, and 
N. spurius coronatus, both bold and showy flowers of rich golden hue. At 
this time a great number of Narcissus and Daffodils are in flower, for in 
ordinary seasons these will be in flower from the middle to the end of 
March. And here T would not omit the large and bold flowers of the common 
double Daffodil, N. Telamonius plenus, a good useful flower for natural¬ 
ising, or for the margin of shrubbery borders and beds—in any conspicuous 
place, in fact, it may be introduced among other plants with good effect, 
but nowhere in overwhelming quantity to produce a monotony. 
Amidst all this golden colour comes the matchless flowers of 
N. cernuus, with the varieties pulcher and N. cernuus plenus. These are 
among the most exquisite of the whole race of Daffodils. The typical 
species is the drooping white Spanish Daffodil, others call it the Nodding 
White Daffodil; but call it what we may, it is lovely in the extreme. The 
perianth is silvery white and the same length as the trumpet, which latler 
on first opening is of a pale primrose hue, which changes to white in the 
second or third day. This is noticeable in the other forms of this choice 
Daffodil. It is impossible to overestimate either its value or loveliness, 
and being of equally easy culture as the commoner flowers of this family 
it should be grown by all. 
Wnile speaking of the delicate grace and beauty of N. cernuus I am 
reminded of another equally chaste and good, this is N. moschatus and 
its variety N. moschatus albicans ; in the type the divisions of the 
perianth and also trumpet are white, in the latter the trumpet is some¬ 
what larger and fringed with pale primrose, and in all it is somewhat 
larger. There is, however, considerable variation in the growth and 
general strength of home-grown roots as against those collected in a wild 
state, which much favours the former. Before quite departing from the 
moschatus forms I may remark that it is not so well adapted for pot 
culture as many, since it will not endure artificial heat nearly so well, 
even when judiciously applied. It is never better than when allowed to 
flower in its own way. The lovely princeps, with its giant sulphur 
trumpet and sulphur white perianth, is a charming flower for any purpose, 
and one deserving extended culture. 
Then if we turn for a moment to glance at the various N. bicolors, 
such as Empress, Horsfieldi, Maximus, also called grandis, together with 
nobihs and minor, we have a set of the most glorious of all the Daffodils. 
Of strong and vigorous constitutions, each bulb producing when established 
three or more of their lovely blossoms, which are unequalled for all floral 
embellishments. Arranged among other things in epergnes and for table 
decorati n generally their drooping or horizontal cups, as the case may 
be, are most pleasing; in short they rank among the very finest of the 
group, and are foremost among the so-called grand trumpeters. Where 
all are equally good it is useless to particularise ; suffice it to say that 
those nuned possess the same stately habit of growth, and are all remark¬ 
able for the great substance of their flowers. In each case the trumpet 
is a golden yellow with pure white perianth. Not only do these stand 
out conspicuous in the genus to which they belong, but they hold a front 
rank among the most beautiful of hardy spring bulbs. 
We have also some very tine forms in N. Emperor and N. rugilobus, 
which in point of colour are very near akin, but in point of fact the 
former is a giant as compared with the latter ; it is in reality one of the 
largest in cultivation. The trumpet is yellow, with pale sulphur segments. 
The same description will fully recognise N. rugilobus, which by the 
way, flowers fully ten days earlier than the Emperor. In Narcissus 
maximus we have the most lovely of all the single golden Daffodils, 
and also the largest; the cup is beautifully expanded, while the perianth 
segments are noticeable for a peculiar though constant twist, constituting 
a distinguishing character. 
Leaving the Trumpet or Ajax section, I will briefly turn to the equally 
valuable N. poeticus an 1 its forms. All these are extremely useful as cut 
flowers, and where such are in demand should be grown in quantity ; 
those most valuable are N. poeticus angustifolius, N. poeticus poetarum, 
and N. poeticus ornatus. The first named is earliest to flower, the flowers 
being pure white with a rose-margined cup ; the second named has very 
large pure white flowers, the cup being margined with crimson; the last 
named is the most valuable of all, the flowers are beautifully formed, and 
nearly circular, the segments in nearly all cases overlapping each other, 
of good endurance in a cut state, and comes in naturally at Easter time 
when flowers for church decoration are in great request, therefore they 
are doubly valuable, to which may be added their unrivalled fragrance. 
There are still other varieties of Poet’s Narcissus, as poeticus plenus and 
others, but those above are so much earlier as to merit the greater atten¬ 
tion. The last section to which I shall refer is the Peerless Daffodils, 
N. incomparabilis and varieties. These are far too vast in point of numbers, 
or at least names, and may readily be reduced to a few of the most 
distinct. Mary Anderson may receive a premier place, it is the single 
Orange Phoenix, the perianth pure white, and the cup bright orange- 
scarlet; it at'racts attention everywhere, and well deserves extensive 
cultivation. In combination of colour it is unique, and will no doubt 
be largely grown in the future. Stella forms another pleasing and good 
form, as well as an early bloomer, and which is being largely used. The 
great Sir Watkin is the giant of all, a tremendous leap, as it were, into 
the future, and which has left all else far behind in so far as size is con¬ 
cerned. Incomparabilis, Glow, albidus, Leedsii, are others very g >od and 
distinct. The list of names in this section is simply bewildering, and 
doubly so on tracing a catalogue only to find after all the varietal or 
complimentary names employed, that the perianth is sulphur, and the 
cup yellow, varied only now and again by the cup being either large or 
very fine. 
Among the Lpedsii varieties L. amabilis is worthy of note, the cup 
being conspicuously long, and primrose colour at first, then changing to 
white, the perianth also white. There are other good and useful varieties 
well worthy of culture, but which require careful selection, beside which 
