768 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September 12,1903. 
Notes on the Illustrations in this Issue. 
Narcissus Mrs. Thompson. 
To' trace this beautiful Daffodil back to its original, we should 
have to go to the tiny little white Daffodil named Narcissus 
ruoschatus, the' Musk Daffodil of the Pyrenees. The improve¬ 
ments that have been made in size, however, are very great, 
as may be seen by reference to the accompanying illustration, 
which shows this- Daffodil up to great advantage. The flower 
is pure white when fully developed, even if there be a faint 
trace of leanon in the trumpet during the early stages, as is 
customary in the varieties belonging to this strain, in which 
eve have such fine Daffodils as cernuus, c. puloher, William 
Goldring, albicans, and several others which sometimes are 
spoken of under the collective term of Swan’s Neck Daffodils. 
The trumpet is very wide at the month and beautifully 
frilled, and all parts of the flower are considerably enlarged 
compared with the original white Daffodil of Spain. It usually 
grows about 12 in. to IT in. high, and is; suitable for cultiva¬ 
tion under various conditions to which the different type® of 
Daffodil may be subjected. In the first place, it may be 
grown: in pots for the decoration of the greenhouse and con¬ 
servatory in spring. It is also suitable for naturalising on the 
grass, being a, strong-growing' variety, and therefore capable 
of taking care of itself when planted out' in soil and situations 
suitable for the welfare of Daffodils: generally. Seeing that it 
is suitable for naturalising on grass, it may also be grown in 
the ordinary border with every hope of success. 
Lifting every year is not necessary, provided the' bulbs have 
not become too crowded, otherwise the blooms: would be: liable 
to degenerate in size. Some of the white Daffodils: of this 
affinity prove rather delicate growers, but Mrs. Thompson does 
not present this difficulty. The beautiful illustration has been 
placed at our disposal by Messrs. Sutton and Sons, Reading. 
Hyacinth Albert Edward. 
Single and double Hyacinths continue to have their 1 admirers, 
but whatever the utility of double Hyacinths, there can be no 
question that the single ones: give a much longer spikei, and 
one', therefore, that is more suited for exhibition purpose® than 
the short-spiked double ones. The flowers of the- single ones 
are also more symmetrical, and therefore appeal to a larger 
number of admirers. The variety which we illustrate pro¬ 
duces very large spikes cf rich crimson flower's, and when well 
grown produces a very fine effect' indeed. 
The illustration was placed at our disposal by Messrs. Ed. 
Webb and Sons, Wordsley, Stourbridge, and shows the outline 
of a spike that takes the eye' for exhibition purpose®. The 
variety is also of easy culture, and may be grown in, glasses 
for dwelling-room decoration. In connection with these 
Hyacinths, we may say that their capabilities are already pre¬ 
sent in the bulb before they are received in this country, sio 
that all that the gardener has to do is: to treat them carefully 
in order to encourage the best development of the flower-bud's 
that are already present hi embryo state in the hard and dry 
bulb. 
If very large spikes are wanted when grown in pots the' 
plants should be brought on gradually, without being sub¬ 
jected to much artificial heat. In the case of glass culture the 
plants should be' kept as near the glass as 1 possible to prevent 
the undue elongation of the leave®. In the case of pot culture 
it is well to pot up the bulbs early, so as to give them time to 
form roots under the most natural conditions possible before 
pushing them into growth* especially if it is desired to have 
them in bloom early for purely decorative purpose®. For out- 
of-door culture in beds they should also be planted as early 
as possible, to let them have the benefit of the warmth still 
in the soil to encourage the development of roots before winter. 
Narcissus Barrii conspicuus. 
From a botanical point of view, the essential feature of this! 
type of Daffodil is that the crown is less than half the length 
of the perianth segments. The perianth in this case has very 
broad, overlapping segments of a deep primrose-yellow, while 
the crown is of a brighter yellow and strikingly edffefl with 
orange-scarlet. Of all the forms of short-crowned Daffodils 
few of them are more floriferou® than this variety, or more 
easy to grow. The bulbs continue to throw up a good crop of 
flowers year by year even in relatively poor soil; and even 
Copyright S. and m 
Narcissus Mrs. Thompson. 
