April  30,  1896. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
405 
and  beautiful  whiteness  of  others  appear  as  if  they  had,  in  the  stillness 
of  the  night,  quietly  appropriated  the  silvery  moonbeams  that  softly 
kissed  their  fragile  petals  ;  whilst  the  paler  tints  of  cream,  sulphur,  and 
primrose  are  suggestive  of  the  soft  coloured  mantle  spread  o’er  the  sky 
by  the  last  lingering  rays  of  the  setting  sun.  The  Daffodil,  fit  emblem 
ot  spring,  is  here  in  all  its  forms  and  colours.  Flowers  in  great 
profusion,  of  all  shapes  and  sizes,  blend  artistically  together,  and  make 
this  most  beautiful  floral  panorama.  With  the  blue  sky  above,  surrounded 
by  the  varied  tints  of  the  budding  trees  and  shrubs,  in  which  the  mavis 
and  the  merle  chant  their  matins  and  evensong,  the  Daffodils  make  a 
picture  that  delighted  the  thousands  ol  visitors  who  have  made  a 
pilgrimage  to  Totley  Hall  this  spring. 
The  varieties  and  species  of  the  collection  are  very  numerous.  They 
are  distinguished  in  their  blooming  quarters  by  numbered  labels,  of 
which  I  counted  232.  The  most  striking  group  is  a  stately  clump  of 
“  Weardale  Perfection,”  which  rears  up  above  all  the  rest  seven  huge 
primrose  and  cream  coloured  blooms.  The  perianth  of  this  magnificent 
flower  measures  more  than  5  inches  across.  The  foliage  is  as  remark¬ 
able  as  the  flower,  the  grey  green  leaves  measuring  1^  inch  in  width. 
It  is  an  extremely  strong  grower,  and  very  fertile  in  hearing  seed.  It 
is  without  doubt  the  finest  Daffodil  in  cultivation  at  the  present  time. 
Close  by,  enabling  the  observer  to  contrast  their  respective  beauties,  are 
growing  Glory  of  Leyden,  Madame  de  Graaff  and  Madame  Plemp,  all 
giants  of  their  kind.  Amongst  the  sorts  grown  in  great  masses  Empress 
leads  the  van  with  2500  bulbs;  Emperor  follows  with  1G00.  The 
Ajax  that  were  particularly  fine  are  Lord  Derby,  John  Nelson,  P.  R. 
Barr,  Captain  Nelson,  Shirley  Hibberd,  maximus,  J.  B.  M.  Camm, 
Grandee,  Harrison  Weir,  Horsefieldi,  Michael  Foster,  and  Dorrien  Smith. 
Noticeable  on  account  of  their  refinement  and  delicacy  of  colour  are 
the  white  Ajax  varieties  of  Mrs.  J.  B.  M.  Camm,  Mrs.  Vincent,  cernuus 
pulcher,  tortuosus,  Galatea,  Exquisite,  Mr.  Burbidge,  Lady  Grosvenor, 
Sir  S.  Northcote,  W.  P.  Milner,  and  Matson  Vincent.  Many  other  good 
specimens,  of  which  Mr.  Milner  grows  large  quantities,  are  Duchess  of 
Westminster,  Madame  M.  de  Graaff,  Golden  Star,  Barri  albus,  Sensation, 
Princess  Mary,  Barri  coaspicuus,  J.  D.  Meston,  Titan,  Autocrat,  Back- 
housei,  Frank  Miles,  Amabilis,  Minnie  Hume,  Mrs.  Langtry,  Grand 
Duchess,  Catherine  Spurred,  Madge  Matthew,  Princess  of  Wales,  Nelsoni 
aurantius,  Wm.  Backhouse,  Nelsoni  major,  C.  J.  Backhouse,  Flora 
Wilson,  Maurice  Vilmorin,  Queen  Sophia,  Mary  Anderson,  Mrs.  Boulby, 
Gloria  Mundi,  and  Princess  Louise. 
Many  charming  Daffodils,  in  miniature,  are  amongst  the  collection, 
the  most  diminutive  being  the  modest  little  rush-leaved  variety  junci- 
folius,  whose  blooms  are  only  three-quarters  of  an  inch  across.  There 
are  also  the  snow  white  blossoms  of  tnandrus  albus,  which  is  known  by 
the  common  but  beautiful  name  of  “Angels’  Tears,”  moschatus,  and 
the  quaint  forms  of  the  Hooped  petticoat  variety.  On  a  sunny  bank 
grows  a  striking  group  of  the  elegant  pale  yellow  Johnstoni,  Queen  of 
Spain,  one  of  the  specimens  of  Mr.  Barr’s  maDy  trophies  from  the 
Pyrenees. 
In  addition  to  the  growing  plants,  an  exhibition  of  cut  blooms  was 
provided  in  one  of  the  lower  rooms  of  the  hall,  which  was  fitted  with 
staging  specially  for  the  occasion.  It  consisted  of  250  glass  vases, 
containing  from  six  to  twelve  fine  cut  blooms  in  each  of  the  best  and 
choicest  flowers,  many  of  them  with  names  attached.  It  was  a  very 
beautiful  exhibition,  arranged  in  artistic  style.  Mr.  Milner  is  a  most 
enthusiastic  and  skilful  cultivator  of  this  queen  of  spring  flowers. 
Every  year  he  cross-fertilises  a  number  of  blooms,  with  the  result  that 
he  has  always  a  quantity  of  Eeedlings  coming  on,  and  in  consequence 
raises  some  good  and  interesting  varieties. 
Apart  from  the  Daffodil  garden  are  many  spacious  borders,  which 
contain  a  very  complete  collection  of  herbaceous  plants.  The  rock 
garden  also  contains  many  objects  of  great  interest  to  the  lover  of 
Alpines.  Amongst  other  good  things  are  eight  varieties  of  Androsace, 
the  Edelweis,  Gentianas  verna,  acaulis,  and  lutea  ;  Adonis  vernalis, 
Ramondia  pyrenaica,  and  the  beautiful  white  variety.  In  the  shady 
bog  garden  are  large  patches  of  Cypripediums  spectabile  aud  calceolus, 
Meconopsis  Wallichi  nepalensis,  Trilliums,  Fritillarias,  and  numerous 
specimens  of  hardy  Primulas. 
Inside  the  greenhouse  there  is  a  gay  show  of  bloom,  and  the  plants 
appear  to  be  in  a  most  healthy  condition.  There  are  a  number  of 
Deudrobiums,  which  recently  made  a  very  good  display,  but  they  are 
now  about  over.  A  few  specimens,  however,  still  make  the  houses 
attractive.  A  plant  of  Dendrobium  Pierardi  latifolium  is  exceptionally 
good.  It  has  twenty  long  bulbs,  bearing  over  200  fine  blooms  of  a 
particularly  good  type.  Dendrobium  thyrsiflorum  is  also  in  good 
condition,  one  plant  bearing  twenty-three  fine  racemes,  about  10  inches 
long  with  fifty  to  sixty  flowers  on  each.  A  fine  variety  of  Dendrobium 
nobile  is  in  bloom.  The  flowers  are  large,  the  size  of  a  good  Wardianum, 
have  a  fine  deep-coloured  lip,  and  are  deeply  coloured  in  the  petals. 
Several  plants  of  an  unusually  large  variety  of  Phaius  Wallichi  have 
thrown  up  a  number  of  strong  spikes,  bearing  numerous  fine  deep- 
coloured  flowers. 
Mr.  Milner  has  forty  large  plants  of  Imantophyllum  Milneri,  one  of 
the  best  varieties  grown.  They  are  brought  on  in  a  succession  of  three 
batches  ;  the  last  of  these  is  a  very  striking  object  in  the  greenhouse, 
being  now  in  full  bloom.  The  plants  bespeak  a  very  high  state  of 
cultivation,  each  one  being  furnished  with  a  good  number  of  strong 
heads  of  bloom  of  a  deep  rich  flame  colour.  Some  of  the  heads  bear 
thirty  flowers.  Many  plants  fill  the  houses,  but  the  most  attractive, 
after  the  Imantophyllums,  are  the  large  show  of  Cinerarias  and  Calceo¬ 
larias.  These  plants  are  full  of  bloom,  good  in  colour,  size  and  shape", 
and  make  a  capital  display  of  their  own,  Azaleas,  Deutzsas,  Rhodo¬ 
dendrons,  Callas,  and  many  other  excellent  examples  of  the  florist’s  art, 
make  up  a  very  brilliant  and  attractive  show,  filling  completely  one 
of  the  largest  greenhouses.  In  this  house  are  also  about  100  plants  of 
Disa  grandiflora,  with  good  healthy  growths. 
The  Vines  are  bearing  a  good  crop  of  Grapes,  and,  as  they  are  in 
excellent  condition,  will,  without  mishap,  produce  an  abundant  supply 
of  fruit  later  in  the  season.  Forced  Strawberries  have  been  gathered 
since  the  last  week  in  March,  and,  on  the  occasion  of  my  visit,  the  plants 
were  still  bearing  a  lot  of  fine  ripe  fruit,  and  there  are  other  plants 
with  an  abundant  promise  of  fine  fruit  in  the  houses.  All  the  plants 
and  flowers  are  a  great  credit  to  Mr.  T.  W.  Birkenshaw,  the  head 
gardener. 
Mr.  Milner  has  set  an  example  which  is  worthy  of  imitation  by  all 
who  are  the  happy  and  fortunate  possessors  of  good  collections  of  plants 
and  flowers,  by  throwing  open  his  grounds  to  the  public  on  three  days 
whilst  the  Daffodils  were  in  perfection.  Many  thousands  from  Sheffield 
and  other  towns  gladly  availed  themselves  of  this  privilege,  and  went 
away  charmed  and  delighted  with  the  sight  of  so  much  beauty.  To  most 
people  a  visit  to  Mr.  Milner’s  garden  at  this  time  of  the  year  is  simply 
a  revelation  ;  astonishment  at  the  quantity  and  beauty  of  the  display 
was  expressed  by  the  visitors  upon  all  sides.  The  quiet  little  village  of 
Totley  was  en  fete  for  the  greater  portion  of  one  of  these  special  days  in 
consequence  of  the  very  great  influx  of  visitors. 
On  Saturday,  the  18th  of  April,  Mr.  Milner,  one  of  the  Vice- 
Presidents,  received  a  visit  from  the  Sheffield  Chrysanthemum  Society 
by  invitation.  Every  facility  was  given  to  the  members  to  inspect  the 
Daffodils  and  grounds.  In  the  evening  above  130  members  partook  of 
the  hospitality  of  Mr.  Milner,  who  kindly  provided  an  excellent  dinner 
at  a  neighbouring  hostelry.  After  the  repast  was  over  the  remainder  of 
the  evening  was  spent  in  a  sociable  and  enjoyable  manner,  when  a  most 
hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Milner  was  enthusiastically  passed  for  his 
great  kindness  and  generosity.  The  entertainment  was  presided  over  by 
Mr.  J.  G.  Newsham — J.  H. 
INSECT  LIFE.® 
A  book  of  235  pages,  bearing  the  above  title,  is  before  me  through 
the  courtesy  of  the  Editor  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  and  is  what  it 
professes,  “  A  Short  Account,  of  the  Classification  and  Habits  of  Insects,” 
by  Mr.  F.  Theobold,  Agricultural  College,  Wye.  To  be  acquainted  with 
the  life  history  of  insects,  their  habits  and  mode  of  life,  is  the  first 
essential  step  in  practical  economic  entomology,  for  without  this  there 
is  nothing  but  a  waste  of  force  and  means  that  may  or  may  not  effect  the 
desired  object.  Albeit,  empirical  measures  are  frequently  the  precursors 
of  effective  precautionary  and  remedial  practices,  because  of  the 
acquaintance  eventually  gained  by  the  operator  with  the  subject  in  hand. 
In  the  introduction  and  classification  a  glance  is  taken  of  the  place 
insects  hold  in  the  animal  kingdom,  special  reference  being  made  to  the 
group  Arthropoda,  one  of  the  most  important  in  the  invertebrate  sub¬ 
kingdom,  which  are  “distinguished  from  the  other  invertebrate  classes 
(Protozoa,  Vermes,  Mollusca,  &c.)  briefly  as  follows.  The  body  is  com¬ 
posed  of  a  number  of  rings,  segments,  or  somites,  arranged  along  a 
longitudinal  axis.  Each  segment  may  have  a  pair  of  appendages 
(some  always  have).  The  appendages  are  always  composed  of  joints, 
and  are  united  to  the  body  by  a  distinct  articulation  ;  they  are  always 
hollow,  and  contain  prolongations  of  the  muscles.  The  segmented  body 
and  the  articulate  limbs  are  more  or  less  completely  covered  by  a  thick 
chitinous  coat  or  exo-skeleton.  The  nervous  system  is  composed  of  a 
double  chain  of  ganglia,  united  by  commissures  and  anteriorly  per¬ 
forated  by  the  oesophagus.  The  nervous  system  is  always  placed  on  the 
ventral  surface  of  the  body.  Respiration  takes  place  by  means  of  gills, 
pulmonary  sacs,  or  by  specially  developed  tubes,  called  tracheae.  The 
hmmal  system  when  developed  is  present  on  the  dorsal  surface,  and 
consists  of  a  large  tubular  heart,  opening  on  each  side  by  valvular 
apertures  into  the  perivisceral  spaces  containing  corpusculated  blood.” 
Such  is  the  language  in  which  the  author  treats  his  subject,  and  then 
follows  a  brief  classification  of  the  Arthropod-1,  which  are  divided  into  four 
groups : — 1,  Crustacea  ;  2,  Arachnida  ;  3,  Myriapoda  ;  4,  Insecta.  To 
these  belong  the  familiar  woodlice,  spiders,  millipedes,  and  insects 
respectively,  and  many  of  them  too  well  known  to  gardeners.  Insecta, 
as  befits  the  title  of  the  book,  are  chiefly  treated  on,  and  of  these  there 
are  said  by  Dr.  Sharpe  to  be  2,000,000  species  ;  but  the  author  mentions 
that  under  250,000  species  have  been  described,  also  that  every  plant 
“  has  some  insect  living  upon  its  tissue,  most  insects  exclusively  feeding 
upon  one  particular  genus  of  plants.”  Thus  the  author  renders  his 
subject  interesting  and  even  entertaining,  and  simplifies  matters  by  a 
reduction  of  Insecta  to  seven  orders : — 1,  Coleoptera  ;  2,  Hymenoptera  ; 
3,  Lepidoptera  ;  4,  Diptera  ;  5,  Hemiptera  (this  being  subdivided  into 
1,  Heteroptera  and  2,  Homoptera)  ;  6,  Orthoptera  ;  7,  Neuroptera. 
This  is  slightly  varied  from  Murray. 
The  chapter  on  the  metamorphoses  of  insects  is  capitally  treated 
and  well  illustrated.  After  that  cornea  their  structure,  which  is  even 
better,  everything  being  clearly  defined  and  shown.  The  antennae  or 
horns  are  seen  by  the  illustrations  to  have  important  functions  to  the 
insect,  and  the  eyes  are  studies.  Then  comes  the  mouth,  and  this  soon 
convinces  any  observer,  if  he  need  any,  of  the  power  for  biting  and 
sticking.  Even  the  legs  are  seen  to  be  curiously  and  wonderfully  made. 
The  internal  parts  receive  a  generous  share  of  attention. 
Chapter  IV.  is  devoted  to  Coleoptera  or  beetles,  which  date  in 
geological  time  from  the  palaeozoic  rocks,  there  having  been  “  borers  ” 
*  Published  by  Messrs.  Methuen  &  Oo.,  36,  Essex  Street,  London,  W.O. 
