368 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  3,  1900 
Tlie  Reign  of  the  Daffodil, 
New  Daffodils. 
Few  flowers  of  the  garden  have  gained  such  an  immense  share  of 
public  esteem  during  the  past  few  years  as  have  the  Narcissi  and 
Daffodils.  In  practically  every  garden  throughout  the  length  and 
Fig.  103. — Narcissus  Dorothy  Kixgsmill. 
breadth  of  the  land  they  are  to  be  found  in  varying  numbers,  and  with 
this  increase  in  popularity  there  have  happily  been  decided  improve¬ 
ment  in  their  cultivation.  It  is  not,  of  course,  in  every  garden  that 
one  finds  the  newest  and  rarest  varieties  ;  there  are  growers  who  have 
no  desire  to  be  right  in  the  van  in  this  respect,  while  others  have  not  a 
sufiiciently  elastic  purse  to  find  the  means  to  purchase  exceptionally 
expensive  bulbs.  Nevertheless  the  newer  varieties  do  find  their  way 
over  a  wide  area  in  a  very  brief  space  of  time,  and  instead  of  the 
popularity  of  Daffodils  being,  as  some  of  the  pessimists  say,  on  the 
down  grade,  it  is  constantly  increasing,  as  well  among  the  masses  as 
among  the  classes. 
There  are,  however,  and  always  will  be  people  who  must  have 
novelties — new  varieties  are  eagerly  sought,  and  to  meet  the  demand 
many  expert  growers  are  at  work.  Foremost  amongst  present-day 
raisers  stands  the  Kev.  Gr.  H.  Engleheart,  who  has  done  really 
remarkable  service  in  giving  to  the  world  new  and  improved 
forms.  Each  year  brings  with  it  introductions  from  the  Andover 
garden,  and  the  labours  in  crossing  in  past  years  are  now  bearing 
abundant  fruit.  From  time  to  time  numbers  of  Mr.  Engleheart’s 
seedlings  have  been  portrayed  in  the  JownaZ  oj  Horticulture,  and  it 
will  be  remembered  that  these  varieties  are  always  characterised  by 
clearness  of  colour  and  refinement  of  shape.  At  the  meeting  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  on  April  24th,  Diana,  Chancellor,  and 
Virgil  were  all  honoured  by  awards  of  merit  from  the  Narcissus 
Committee.  Each  of  these  was  most  excellent,  the  last  named  being 
undoubtedly  one  of  the  finest  varieties  of  poeticus  that  has  ever  been 
exhibited.  At  the  previous  meeting,  too,  N.  Alma  was  similarly 
honoured.  Thus  Mr.  Engleheart  annexed  four  awards  at  two  meetings 
in  an  unfavourable  [season,  and  has  often  done  better  than  this  in 
by. gone  years. 
Miss  Willmott  of  Great  Warley  was  in  great  form  with  Daffodils  on 
this  occasion,  and  received  special  recognition  for  four  varieties  out  of 
a  small  collection.  These  were  named  respectively  Charles  Wolley 
Dod,  Eleanor  Berkeley,  Countess  Grey,  and  Mrs.  Berkeley.  The  first 
two  received  awards  of  merit,  and  the  last  two  first-class  certificates. 
Probably  general  opinion  would  decide  that  Countess  Grey  was  the 
best.  It  belongs  to  the  bicolor  section,  and  has  a  sulphur  yellow 
trumpet  <  f  perfect  form.  Both  C.  Wolley  Dod  and 
Eleanor  Berkeley  favour  the  popular  Sir  Watkin  in  form,  ^ 
differing  from  that  variety  and  each  other  in  colour. 
Another  exhibitor  of  a  few  varieties  was  Mr.  A.  Kings- - 
mill,'  who  received  a  first-class  certificate  for  Dorothy 
Kingsmill,  which  was  beyond  doubt  one  of  the  finest 
flowers  in  the  hall.  It  is  a  large  bicolor,  faultless  in 
form,  and  of  exquisite  colour.  The  perianth  segments  are- 
pure  white,  and  the  beautiful  trumpet  is  sulphur  yellow. . 
This  variety  is  admirably  depicted  in  the  illustration 
(fig.  103)  _  y 
A  fresh  exhibitor  at  the  Drill  Hall  is  the  firm  of  M.  Van 
Waveren  &  Sons  of  Hillegom,  the  great  Dutch  bulb 
growers.  On  the  occasion  of  the  last  meeting  the  firm  sent  a 
small  collection,  amongst  which  was  found  a  variety  named 
Van  Waveren’s  Giant  (fig.  104),  which  may  safely  be  regarded 
as  the  colossus  of  the  family  up  to  now.  It  is  a  noble  flower, . 
though  some  people  will  probably  think  it  too  large.  It  is 
upwards  of  5  inches  across,  the  perianth  segments  and  the 
trumpet  being  of  proportionate  size.  The  colour  of  the 
segments  is  pale  yellow,  while  the  trumpet  is  rich  yellow.. 
It  will  probably  be  some  time  before  this  variety  is  exceeded 
in  size.  It  was  recommended  a  first-class  certificate  by  the 
committee  of  experts.  The  same  firm  also  sent  Olympia, 
which  was  a  grand  variety.  Another  Dutch  house,  Messrs 
J.  de  Groot  &  Son,  exhibited  Wilhelmina,  which  is  a  bicolor 
of  considerable  size  and  substance,  and  is  of  a  good 
colour. 
It  will  thus  be  seen  that  eleven  distinct  varieties  were 
honoured  at  one  meeting,  which  fact  alone  goes  far  to  prov© 
the  widespread  popularity  of  this  delightful  flower.  The 
season  has  been  most  unfavourable  for  the  proper  develop¬ 
ment  of  the  blooms,  or  it  is  probable  that  many  others 
of  equal  merit  would  have  been  shown.  There  were,  of 
course,  many  other  new  varieties  shown,  some  of  which  were 
excellent,  but  the  Narcissus  Committee  fixed  a  very  high 
standard  on  this  occasion  to  which  these  might  not  quite 
attain,  though  a  few  years  back  they  would  have  been  recog¬ 
nised  without  hesitation.  There  will  probably  be  a  further  supply  at 
the  meeting  on  May  8th.  ' 
Daffodils  in  Pots. 
Fine  showy  varieties  of  these  “  gay  flowers  of  spring”  are  now  so 
numerous  that  a  good  collection  should  be  in  every  garden,  for  although' 
the  old  and  well  known  forms  are  attractive  and  useful  for  supplying 
cut  flowers,  they  cannot  vie  in  quaintness  of  beauty  with  many  of  the 
grand,  modern  varieties,  which  have  become  almost  as  much  the  ragV 
as  Tulips  were  in  their  “  palmiest  days.” 
To  secure  a  good  stock  of  a  few  dozen  of  the  best  varieties  in 
commerce  would  necessitate  a  larger  expenditure  than  the  majority 
of  gardeners  could  devote  to  the  purpose,  but  many  could  make  a  point 
of  procuring  a  few  each  year,  grow  them  in  pots,  and  after  drying  the 
bulbs  plant  them  out  in  early  autumn. In  a  suitable  soil  they  would 
then  in  a  few  years  have  a  largely  increased  stock.  Such  -  choice- 
varieties  should  of  course  not  be  forced,  but  brought  on  gradually 
in  cool  structures,  so  as  to  have  them  in  flower  during  March,  and 
April. 
To  grow  Daffodils  in  pots  well  a  light,  rich,  perfectly  sweet  soil  is 
necessary,  and  to  have  it  in  the  right  condition  it  should  be  stacked  ■ 
from  nine  to  twelve  months  before  being  used.  Procure  fresh,  rather 
light  loam,  with  plenty  of  fibre,  and  place  in  a  heap ;  form  this  with 
IS-inch  layers  of  soil  and  6-inch  layers  of  short,  partially  decayed 
manure  sandwiched  between,  then  by  the  time  the  soil  is  chopped  down 
for  use  the  fibre  has  to  a  great  extent  decayed  and  the  manure 
