84 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ April, 
I 
FORCING THE DAFFODIL. 
® HE Daffodil is tlie Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus of botanists, and is considered 
to be a native of England. It grows naturally by tbe borders of woods, 
f but seldom extends beyond where there has been some sort of cultivation 
to favour its increase. There are several varieties, but the common double 
is the favourite. The children call its blossoms “ daJffydowndillies.” They are 
also called Lent lilies, owing to their being often in perfection during that season. 
The plant was well known to old herbalists as the Daffodil, a name which is still 
retained in some books on botany, with other old popular names. Some of these 
names, however, seem very odd in these days. For instance, the Lamiums^ with 
their bad odour, are styled “ Archangels.” Lately some writers have taken pains 
to collect these local names and point out their origin, which is really interest¬ 
ing ; but somehow, the herbalists’ healing art is on the wane, and little heed is 
paid to the names and virtues of medicinal herbs. Some of them, it is true, con¬ 
tain deadly poisons, and whether administered wilfully or by mistake, they are not 
so easily detected as those of mineral origin. Still the herbalists or quack doctors 
have sway over those who hold that “yerb” medicines are the safest and best. 
However, I am running astray from the chief part of my subject, which is to 
note that Daffodils are very easily forced into blossom, even before the winter 
aconite and snowdrops appear. Those two may be considered the first of Flora’s 
visitants, yet they, like the crocus, are impatient of heat, and cannot be coaxed into 
bloom much before their usual time in the open air. Not so the daffodil. It 
may be nursed into bloom at the end of winter. Thus, when cut flowers are 
scarce, they do well, though common, to mix with other kinds. They may be 
had by taking up the roots as soon as the tops peep above ground, and either 
putting them into pots, or planting the “ clumps ” of roots into light soil, and 
after a good watering and a little brisk heat, they will soon produce plenty of 
blossoms. Though daffodils are very hardy, yet they stand heat with impunity. 
Indeed, they are so hardy, that the old folk, who disliked the new style of reckoning 
time, used to say, “ Na, they ma alter the times, but canna change the seasons. 
Na daffodily weather at the usual time,” meaning cold cutting winds in March.— 
J. WiQHTON, Cosset/ Park. 
GARDEN WORK FOR APRIL. 
FLOWERS. 
^WING- to the backwardness of the season, and the wet condition of the soil, 
the general work in the flower-garden and pleasure-ground is in arrear, which 
must be rectified with all despatch as soon as the weather will allow. The 
planting of any Evergreens should be delayed till May or June, especially 
hollies and Portugal laurels, as they are surer to grow if transplanted after 
they have commenced to make growth. All evergreens that are out of shape 
should be topped and cut into a rounded form with the knife or secateur., and 
not with shears. The contour of such things should never be disfigured by 
