May 16, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
423 
NOTES ON THE ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE. 
MILTONIA VEX ILLAR1A AT FREELAND HOUSE, FORGANDENNY. 
Royal, the variety illustrated to-day, is the largest and most 
effective variety which has yet appeared. This remarkable 
flower, as has been previously mentioned in The Gardening 
World, was exhibited by the Rev. G. H. Engleheart at the 
Midland Daffodil Society’s Show on. April 16th last, where it 
created quite a sensation, and was given an Award of Merit 
and also a Gold Medal. The intense rich yellow trumpet, 
when measured, proved to be no less than 2J in. across, while 
the total width across the flower was 6J in. The segments, 
which are of a bright, light yellow shade, are remarkably broad 
and ovate; at the same time they are not at all rough, but of 
splendid texture. Indeed, in spite of its. huge proportions, 
there is not the slightest element of coarseness visible, and, in 
this respect, I prefer it to Van Waveren’s Giant, which was ex¬ 
hibited last season, and was 5|- in. across. This latter variety 
grows almost. 3 ft. in height, and has leaves nearly as broad as 
those of a Flag Iris. Royal, Mr. Engleheart tells me, pos¬ 
sesses even more vigour and luxuriance, while its lasting 
qualities are another distinct point in its favour. 
the Cornwall Daffodil Society. Yet another fine tricolor is Duke 
of Bedford, reminding one of a veiy much improved Victoria. 
Unfortunately, it is sometimes apt to come a trifle rough, but, 
when seen at its best, the massive soft yellow trumpet and 
broad white segments form a most effective flower. This season 
it has hardly been shown at its best, probably owing to the fact 
that it is a very early bloomer, and suffered in consequence 
from the frequent rough winds which have been SO' much in 
evidence this spring. Glory of Nordwijk has been seen in 
several stands this year in veiy good condition. It is a capital 
grower, and twice the size of Empress, which it resembles. I 
cannot close these notes without reference to a magnificent 
Ajax variety named Henry Vilmorin, which was exhibited (for 
the first time) this spring at Truro. The trumpet is exactly 
the same shape as Peter Barr, but smaller, and pale lemon in 
colour. Instead of the twisted perianth segments, which are 
one of the distinguishing features of the last named, this variety 
has stiff, sharp-pointed segments of the purest lemon-white. 
Arthur R. Goodwin. 
Ten years ago who would have thought of a Daffodil 6 in. 
across? I shall not easily forget the sensation caused by 
several superb specimens of Weardale Perfection, 5 in. across, 
which were exhibited at Birmingham in 1900. But now we 
have quite a plethora of giant trumpet flowers among the 
yellow and bicolor varieties. King Alfred and Monarch are 
two of the most refined and striking of the former section, the 
next best being Big Ben, which has been exhibited 5 in. across; 
Lord Roberts, a most noble variety of the Emperor type, in 
colour a rich deep yellow ; and King’s Norton, which measures 
4-1- in. across, and is a chance seedling, Mr. Pope informs me, 
from Emperor. 
Turning now to the bicolor varieties, Weardale Perfection, 
which has been aptly described as a gigantic pallidus praecox, 
still holds its own. A variety closely resembling this, but 
slightly smaller, is Diogenes, with which Mr. P. D. Willi am ^ 
the well-known Cornish amateur, won first prize for the best 
trumpet Daffodil, not in commerce, at the recent exhibition of 
Miltonia vexillaria at Freeland. 
Enclosed is a photograph of Miltonia vexillaria. for repro¬ 
duction in your valuable paper. The plant was grown by Mr. 
William Sharp in the gardens at Freeland, Forgandenny. The 
plant developed ninety-two individual flowers, and is a beauti¬ 
ful dark variety. Miltonia vexillaria grows veiy freely under 
the master hand of Mr. Sharp. In his treatment he uses 
sphagnum and peat, commencing to pot whenever the young 
growths are up 2 in. He believes in plenty of shade and care¬ 
ful watering until the plants become well rooted in the new 
material. T. Buchan. 
April 26th, 1903. 
Some Large Trumpet Daffodils. 
During the last few years the trumpet section has been en¬ 
riched by some veritable giants; but, so far as I have seen. 
