DAFFODIL CULTURE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 241, 10 September 1932, Page 4

DAFFODIL CULTURE

A MAN’S HOBBY. A development of recent years, and one which is more strongly manifest to-day, is the growth and exhibition of the daffodil. And the most remarkable thing about it is that it enters far more into the lives of men than it does into the lives of women. Why this should be so it is hard to say, but go where you will, be it to humble country show, or to the annual National Daffodil Society’s Show, the same thing is in evidence, always men predominate. At the National Daffodil Society’s Show at Wanganui three years ago, among the numerous leading exhibitors there was only one lady. And the same thing has happened at each show since. 'l'llis is not to say that not many women grow daffodils, far from it. But while in almost all the departments of flower growing they largely outnumber men. in this ease it is just the reverse. Though some new daffodils, and particularly j some of the magnificent new varieties, ! command a very high price, up to £2O j per lmlb, and lor some rare varieties £IOO or more is asked, J. do not think it could lie said that it is just for tbe

money that is in them that these beautiful flowers are grown; the enthusiasm is far more deeply rooted than that. Once it was considered effeminate on the part of a man to be interested in flowers, but those days aie [ past and gone. Now everywhere lead- , mg citizens are giving the greatest ' possible attention to the cultivation , beautiful tilings, and so we see much ■ space in our towns and cities devoted . i to ornamental purposes and the ciy I goes up: “Citizens beautify vour I towns. Plant trees, shrubs and lovely flowers, banish the unsightly bare I spaces.” And so it is with the daftodill; it comes with the first welcome burst of spring, has a long flowering period, colours that range from deepest golden yellow to pure white, and in all similes of palest pink and orange to the deepest red. It makes a sight to catch the eve and stimulate the intellect. One great New Zealand grower I competing at the National Daffodil Society's Show for the English 7d guinea gold cup, for the best lb varieties, 3 of each, put up ail euDy ’costing in the first place for daffodil j bulbs no less than £230. A far famed ’raiser of pedigree cattle said “that he j found his interest in daffodils so great 'that it eclipsed that he had in his prize stock.” In the coming weeks as can be seen

by advertisement m the “Standard'' shows are to be held in Palmoi.m.. North as well as the surrounding o t rict ’Foxton, Marton, lluntcml'. Woodvilie, Rangiwahia, Rongotea. A . hurst and out to Taihape and Wan; . nui The question may be asked, whagood purpose do such shows serveWell, they render immense benefit ; . the community. Were it not lor work of the hybridist and exhibition of long ago we should not have had the so called common varieties in our gardens to-day. Thus we build upon the heritage of our iorefathers. ami endeavour to attain greater achiev.I meats, and to bring out more glorious I creations still. Olio does not _terv often see the new and rare varictim of daffodils in ordinary gardens. The-' are generally kept well cured lor and covered until they reach the shows; hence, people need to visit shows where they can he seen in profusion. It will he quite ail ordinary thing to sec exhibited at the various shows above enumerated upwards of £IOO to £2OO worth of daffodil blooms, some individual blooms costing up to £lO. These, as other arrays of spring flowers, and to some shows' home industries and art displays, all of which make for advance, ment in the community, are worthy of commendation and support. Contributed by Lewis H. Yarrall, Rongotea.