The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-27

ana norlStS last year recommended
the Tazetta narcissi Millions Of these
bulbs were grown last winter in win
dow gardens and Conservatives, In
earth, fibre or water.
1t is interesting to know that this
class Of narcissi was cultivated In
Egypt a century or more before the
birth of Christ, and the flowers were
largely used then as now in funeral
ceremonies.
Shakespeare, Milton, Wordsworth
Tennyson and other poets have sung
the praises Of the narcissus.
In England the narcissus was a pop
ular garden flower at a very early
date. Gerard in his Herbal" 1897
gives list Of narcissi in cultivation
at that time. Parkinson in his work
in 1929. Miller in 1899 and other early
English gardening authorities give ex-
cellent illustrations and descriptions
of narcissi.
Daffodils attracted only ordinary at
tention until about 1884. when, due
to the efforts OF enterprising British
florists. headed by Peter Barr. daffo-
dis came into prominence and new
varieties. including one called Peter
Barr, were sold, when first intro
duced, at $3.50 a bulb and at lesser
amounts down to 500 a bulb.
All OF the polyanthus narcissi. N
Tazetta, carry from six to twelve
blooms on stem and are sweet
scented. Being natives of mild
climates, they are not hardy and car
only be successfully grown in the
garden with the greatest care, plant
ing the bulbs deep. at least Ave
inches, and then protecting them dur
ing cold weather with a heavy cover
ing Of straw.
In the South, where there are only
light frosts during winter, the poly
anthus narcissi flourish. The Paper
White and Danube Roman are FIRST
to flower.
Chinese lilies will likely be in the
market again this autumn. In plant
ing them try the Chinese method OF
making three inclsions, longitudinally
about quarter OF an inch deep, with
n penknife. about an inch from the
top of the bulb. as though the bulbs
were to be divided into thirds. The
Cinnamon say additional leaves will
appear from these incisions and also
flower stalks. I have never thought
Of it at planting time. so cannot say
whether the theory Is correct or not.
In selecting narcissi bulbs do no,
make the mistake of taking large
bulbs. Solid. heavy bulbs. though
smaller. are the most desirable; large
h,,lh hoe
light weight or soft bulbs.
The usual custom Is to throw bulbs
away after they have Powered in
winter. Properly grown in pots Of
earth they may be Powered year after
year for from four to six years.
Choice varieties that are to be saved
are grown on in a cooler temperature
after Towering, until the foliage has
ripened, then the pots are turned or
their sides, water Is withheld and II
about a month the bulbs are removed
from the soil. the roots and leaves
cut off and the bulbs stored in a coo
place until July, when they are set out
in the open ground. In year or two
the bulbs are taken up and potted
again for winter Towering. Protection
is afforded against freezing in winter
Try planting the bulbs In good soil
in fair sized pots, growing them on
without disturbing, for a second year
If successful keep them in the samt
manner for years.
In the case of rare species use
rather small pots at the start ant
shift into larger pots without breaking
the ball of earth of the first pot anC
without disturbing the roots.
, After the plants have Powered plac,
the pots in a cold frame or other COO
place, free from frost and where there
Is sufficient light, until the leaves di,
down. The pots may then be laid or
their sides for a month or six weeks
Examine the plants and those requir
ing II should be shifted into larger
pots. Where the bulbs are not to hav,
larger pots, remove as much OF the ole
soil as practicable without disturbins
the roots, and top dress with frest
rich soil.
Place the pots out OF doors, as soor
as danger OF frost has passed, plung
ing them In a shady spot in the gar.
den until autumn. In the autumn
take up the pots, store them In a cool
dark place for few weeks, not allow.
ing the soil to dry. until growth begins
n.