518 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 17, 1897. 
in shape, and are borne in immense trusses. The 
blooms of Excellence on the contrary are of a rich 
shade of orange, short and campanulate. The flowers 
of President are funnel-shaped, with broad, over¬ 
lapping segments of a deep orange. The clear 
orange flowers of Distinction are of great length and 
produced in huge trusses. Another choice and 
valuable variety is Madame Marie Reimer with 
broad segments and deeply bell-shaped flowers. 
Many unnamed seedlings are of superior merit, and 
amongst them we noted one of the palest varieties in 
cultivation. The flowers are creamy and tinted with 
flesh at the tips of the segments. Something good 
may, in time, be forthcoming from this variety. 
Yellow, white, purple and other varieties are still 
desiderata in this class of plants, which are of decora¬ 
tive value at all times, whether in flower or not on 
account of the handsome, leathery, dark green 
foliage, so easily kept in a clean and healthy condi¬ 
tion. 
-- 
DAFFODILS AT LONG DITTON. 
A March stormy from beginning to end, and an 
April in an equally intractable mood in its early 
stages have both conspired against our friend the 
Daffodil. But buffeted by wind, sullied b> mud 
mashed up by the heavy showers, and cruelly 
pinched by the frost, the golden flower of the west 
has yet asserted its superiority to mere untoward 
climatic conditions, and its beauty has been as 
ungrudgingly given as ever, despite the consistent 
malevolence of the “ north winds and the cold." 
“ Narciss, sweet Narciss " is the burden of aery so 
prevalent at this time in the London streets, varied 
occasionally with such suggestive names as " Codlins 
and Cream," and '* Butter and Eggs," both of which 
however, refer not to a feast of the body but to the 
sublimer repast of a feast for the eye and the soul of 
the lover of floral beauty. 
Yes, the Narcissus is amongst us, and more, is 
amongst us to slay, thanks to the labours of those 
who have spared no pains or trouble in widening the 
range of its special type of beauty, and the scarcely 
less desirable lengthening of the flowering season. Of 
those whose names will ever be associated with the 
Daffodil, Messrs. Barr & Son hold a most prominent 
position. A visitor to their nurseries at Long Ditton 
sees Daffodils everywhere. Clumps of the flowers 
nod gracefully from nooks in the rockery, others are 
ranged side by side in small batches of each variety, 
and placed in specimen beds, constructed with a view 
to demonstrating the special characteristics of each, 
their relative habits and flowering seasons. From 
these the eye travels to huge breaks 
of special varieties that glint and shimmer at 
intervals as far as the eye can comfortably follow. 
No idea of grouping for effect is evident, but the un¬ 
worked for is obtained, and it would be futile to deny 
the imposing character of the unstudied arrangement. 
Still, while studied art is sacrificed to utility one 
feature betrays the eye and hand of the artist. This 
is furnished by a large plantation of Muscariconicum, 
the huge spikes of which, in their serried array form 
a background of deep generous blue, and offer a 
magnificent contrast with the yellow of the 
Daffodils. 
At the present time there is probably a greater 
number of Narcissi in flower than at any other part 
of the season. The trumpet and incomparabilis 
sections are in great force and the early flowering 
forms of N. poeticus are also putting in an 
appearance. 
The Ajax or Trumpet flowered section contains 
many a fine form, the whole gamut of yellows from 
pale yellow-white to deep orange yellow being passed 
through. The section is usually subdivided into 
“ seifs," and bicolor varieties for the sake of con¬ 
venience. Of the yellow seifs, Emperor is one of the 
very finest varieties with its primrose perianth, and 
its huge full yellow trumpet. It is of sturdy con¬ 
stitution and a vigorous grower. Countess of 
Annesley is a long flower, with a very spreading 
orange yellow trumpet, and the perianth segments 
two shades lighter yellow. It usually runs to about 
eight inches in height. Than N. Johnstoni, Queen 
of Spain it would be difficult to find a more elegant 
and refined flower. Like the rest of the section it is 
a hybrid of N. Ajax, and N. triandrus. The colour 
is a uniform clear yellow with reflexing perianth, and 
rather narrow trumpet. Santa Maria, found by Mr. 
Peter Barr in Spain, has a rich orange-yellow corona 
and prettily twisted segments two shades lighter in 
colour. 
Passing to the bicolor varieties we find a host of 
beautiful things. Perhaps it is unfair to particularise, 
but J. B. M. Camm seems unapproached by any of 
the others in refined beauty. This variety, we may 
mention by the way, has had a First-class Certificate 
granted it by the Royal Horticultural Society. 
Certainly it is a pretty flower with its pure white 
perianth and soft chrome-yellow trumpet. Empress 
is the counterpart of Emperor, with regard to size of 
flower and vigourjof growth. The white segments, 
however, are very distinct. N. bicolor (of Haworth) 
is a late variety, but it is in flower rather earlier this 
year. 
Of pure white varieties Snowflake is certainly one 
of the best. N. moschatus (of Haworth) is valuable 
on account of its dwarfness. The flo .ver is of medium 
size and pure white. N. Cernuus has the perianth 
segments and trumpet of about the same length, and 
also pure white. 
In the white trumpet section Madame de Graaff 
cannot be passed over. This also has been accorded 
a First-class Certificate by the R. H. S. When 
first opened the trumpet is a very pale yellow, but 
the yellow soon wears off, and leaves a pure white. 
N. m. tortuosus has a pure white perianth, some¬ 
what shorter than the trumpet. The latter exhibits 
a very pale sulphur yellow at first, but as in the case 
of Madame de Graaff the yellow(soon goes, leaving the 
trumpet a snow white. William Goldring, W. P. 
Milner, and F. W. Burbridge, are three more well- 
known sorts, which space forbids us to allude to in 
detail. All are of great beauty and distinct. 
Varieties of N. incomparabilis are just now greatly 
in evidence. Sir Watkin is, of course, conspicuous 
by reason of the immense size of the flower, some of 
them measuring over four inches in diameter. The 
rich yellow perianth segments and the spreading cup 
stained with orange are most striking. N. Leedsii, 
and its varieties, have a kind of fragile beauty that 
is all their own. N. L. Beatrice has long white 
acutely pointed segments and flesh-coloured cup—a 
novel and distinct colour amongst Narcissi. N. L. 
Duchess of Westminster has large white perianth 
segments, and a canary yellow cup. N. L. Katharine 
Spurrell is a large and very distinct flower, the 
perianth segments being broad and overlapping, thus 
imparting a look of great solidity to the flower. 
The Barii group is a great feature. Hugjb 
breadths of Barri conspicuous, containing many 
thousands of bulbs attest the popularity of this 
variety—one of the best of the Star Narcissi; indeed 
a glance at this glorious flower would be sufficient 
repayment for the journey. In addition to this, such 
forms as Golden Mary, Orphee, Maurice Vilmorin, 
and Sensation are much to be admired. 
We might, indeed, go on to enumerate scores of 
other fine varieties, for the Long Ditton Nurseries 
seem to contain of them stores inexhaustible, but our 
notes have already reached the limit of respectability 
with regard to size, and our pen, for the time being, 
must cease to work amongst the Narcissi, although 
their memories, like the poor, are ever with us. 
NOTICE OF BOOK. 
Vegetable Culture.* 
*The Culture of Vegetables for Prizes, 
Pleasure, and Profit. —By E. Kemp Toogood, 
F.R.H.S. Printed in 1897, by William Holmes, 
Ulverston, Horticultural Printing Specialist. 
Price 6d. 
This small book runs to 127 pages, including an 
index, and includes a great number of vegetables and 
herbs, concerning each kind of which cultural direc¬ 
tions are given. Owing to the exhaustive nature of 
the list of kinds and varieties of vegetables enumer¬ 
ated, but little space is left for details of culture, 
though they are brief and to the point Concerning 
Cabbages and some other vegetables there are notes 
relating to cooking, but we confess not being able to 
see what is meant by them in some cases. For 
instance, it is said that “ Red Cabbages can be 
boiled in autumn or pickled in spring." Of course 
they can, but after a severe winter, or even an 
ordinary winter in some parts of the country, there 
would be few Cabbages left to pickle in the spring, 
unless means were taken to protect them in some 
way. 
Then again, " Properly cooked Brussels Sprouts 
are very much more delicious than ordinary Cabbage, 
though their composition is similar." Most people, 
probably, know this, but not a hint as to the mode 
of cooking is given. Well, the book was evidently 
not intended to teach cooking, and the paragraph 
might have been omitted without detracting from 
the value of the book, which lies entirely in the 
practical details concerning culture, manuring, 
sowing, and the calendrial directions. Amateurs 
would also find some useful hints concerning what 
types of vegetables to select for exhibition, and the 
methods of preparing them for the same. The 
directions given concerning the fungi and insects 
that attack vegetables are sound and practical, 
though terse. 
The short chapters on rotation and manures, both 
natural and artificial might also be followed with 
advantage by amateurs and cottagers generally. 
Some diagrams showing the economical and efficient 
methods of proceeding to dig or trench a piece of 
ground, might be studied by those who have never 
been put through this kind of drill by a professional 
gardener. 
The vegetables enumerated and dealt with are 
arranged in alphabetical order throughout, and the 
index offers additional facilities for finding them as 
well as the other subjects mentioned in the book. 
No less than thirty-three kinds of herbs are recorded, 
so that most cultivators should find something to 
their taste. The growing of Maize is advocated, and 
the cobs are said to be cooked and served like 
Asparagus while the grains are soft and milky. The 
calendar for the times of sowing should also serve as 
a useful reminder to all concerned. 
-- 
VEGETABLES AT STOKE BRUERNE 
PARK. 
During the early period of last winter I happened 
to be in the neighbourhood of Northampton on a 
holiday and called at Stoke Bruerne Park, the resi¬ 
dence of B. Wentworth-Vernon, Esq. Having 
heard much about this place I was anxious to see the 
gardens and have a chat with Mr. Dymock, the 
rising young head gardener, who is already making 
himself famous as an exhibitor at several of the lead¬ 
ing shows in the country. 
After being most heartily received, an adjourn¬ 
ment was made to the gardens, and the first to receive 
notice was the winter vegetables. The kitchen 
garden has only recently been formed, the old one 
being quite inadequate to meet the demands of the 
kitchen. Here were noted the finest square of 
Brussels Sprouts that has ever come under my 
notice. Mr. Dymock having only been in the 
locality a short time, naturally was testing the merits 
of many varieties of most vegetables with a view to 
a more rigid selection later on, and in the Sprouts 
there was no question of the merits of Sutton's 
Dwarf Gem over several others. The plants were 
dwarf, well clothed with leaves, and splendidly 
studded with Sprouts of a fine dark colour. A more 
perfect lot would have been hard to find. Indeed, 
this would apply to the whole of the winter vege¬ 
tables. The ground had been carefully trenched to 
a good depth the previous winter, and is a heavy 
loam of a holding character. Broccoli and Scotch 
Kale were alike good, and a fine batch of Celery will 
ere this have rendered good service. Late Cauli¬ 
flowers still remained excellent. The only crop there 
seemed any scarcity of was Turnips, but the wet 
autumn and early winter rendered this crop a failure 
in most places, most particularly where the soil was 
heavy. 
The Onion store was next visited, and here as in 
the other departments the crop had been enormous, 
many of the bulbs measuring 19 in. and weighing 
2f lbs. each. A particularly fine sample of Ai was 
noticed and Ailsa Craig also very fine. A large 
portion of the kitchen garden is planted with all the 
best varieties of Apples and Pears, and Mr. Dymock 
has with much forethought planted them on the 
surface and mounded them up — a system which is 
bound to give good results on this heavy soil. The 
trees, although planted late in the spring, had done 
remarkably well considering the very dry season they 
had come through. Mr. Dymock manages other 
departments with equal success ; his Chrysanthe¬ 
mums were alone worth going a long way to see. 
There are many interesting sights about this place 
of which I will have something to say again, but it 
was, indeed, to me a specially pleasant visit and one 
that will long remain in the mind of A London 
Visitor. 
