EARLY DAFFODILS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 205, 29 August 1940, Page 6

EARLY DAFFODILS.

SPRING SHOW SUPPLY.

NATIONAL SOCIETY'S ACTION.

Because of the exceptionally early season for flowers in Auckland and other parts of the Dominion it is expected that many of the main varieties of daffodils will have finished flowering before the spring shows are held. The majority of the shows are arranged for the first and second weeks in September, which is the normal time, and it is already apparent that this will be -too late for a full display of blooms.

To meet the abnormal position the National Daffodil Society has altered the date for its big event, which is now to be held at Hamilton on September 5 and 6, instead of a week later, but the Auckland societies are unable to make a general change. It is, therefore, expected that the exhibit* may be confined to only two or three divisions, including the late varieties, instead of a full range.

"It is unfortunate that this difficulty has arisen, as the quality of the daffodils in most gardens is fairJy high this season," said Mr. N. C. Pierce, secretary of the Auckland Horticultural Society, this morning. He added, however, that it should be possible to stage attractive displays from the later varieties, although the range would be somewhat limited.

Mr. Fierce stated that the season in the south was affected similarly to that in Auckland, as a result of favourable winter conditions, followed by a warm August. The fixing of dates for the daffodil shows always presented a problem, due to the short period of flowering. "As the shows are crowded within a fortnight there is not much freedom for the societies," he said.