THEIR PLACE IN THE GARDEN 
Daffodils (or Narcissus) are steadily gaining in favor with the gardener. 
Few flowers can be so delightful especially when planted and growing 
without any sense of formality. This is exactly what we mean by ‘‘natural- 
izing.” A little strip of land where the grass need not be cut until the 
daffodil foliage begins to yellow can be planted with them; or a wood- 
land that is not densely enclosed with branches, but where the rays of 
the sun permeate at some time of the day to all its parts, makes the 
ideal background. This is the setting where daffodils can spring up in 
drifts of sheer elegance. To get the ideal effect whites should be blended 
with the yellows. Splashes of red cups will complete the picture. Where 
the area is small the bulbs may be mixed before planting but in a spacious 
range it is better to scatter the varieties separately so that the blending 
and naturalistic effect will be enhanced. While each variety will have its 
own place, yet a good planting will be so interwoven that they appear 
completely natural. 
A good procedure to follow is to transfer each variety separately into 
a basket from which they may easily be grasped in handfuls and scattered 
over the area chosen as if they were seeds being sown. All of them should 
be planted where they fall. Naturalized plantings cannot easily be lifted 
and replanted and in time will show signs of deterioration. But they will 
continue in lusty growth for many years if a light dressing of bonemeal 
_ is applied in the fall. It is important, too, that a wise selection of varieties 
be made for naturalizing. A few of the recommended varieties are: King 
Alfred, Mrs. E. H. Krelage, Carlton, Scarlet Elegance, John Evelyn, Lady 
Moore and poeticus Actaea. 
The Poeticus types and jonquils are best for planting by the water’s edge, 
and it will be here where success will be assured. 
There are many places in the garden where daffodils will be a welcome 
source of brightness in the colder days of April. They can be grown in 
clumps of 10-25 in the perennial border or in beds with such other Spring 
flowers as hyacinths and muscari. They are not adapted to formal straight 
line planting. As with tulips, daffodils will repay handsomely when planted 
in good soil. In order to obtain the largest size in flowers, we should 
prepare the soil immediately below the point where the base of the 
bulb is to be at planting time. That means the spading out of the top 5-6 
inches of soil. Below this, rotted manure or compost should be dug in to a 
depth of 6-8 inches, taking care that the manure is not in direct contact 
with the bulbs. Level the surface with a rake after sprinkling it with bone- 
