DAFFODILS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 31 August 1945, Page 2

DAFFODILS

THE SHOWS (Contributed) ! There is no doubt that but for the [ flower shows the general public would have no idea of the advances made in the various flowers grown to-day as compared with a few years ago. This is specially true regarding the daffodil, the development of which has been amazing. Many years ago. back in the ’eighties, the Rev. W. Wilks, a noted raiser in England, remarked that the prices charged for some of the latest varieties could not, in his opinion, continue. Such numbers of new flowers were being raised annually that growers would not pay the prices asked. At that time Glory of Leiden began life at £5, yet in 1910 Pixie was catalogued at £25. Michael £2O, White Star £2O. Conqueror £3O, and in our present-day catalogues we find Broughshane. a white Trumpet, priced at £65. Chinese White (a Leedsii) £2O. Green Island, another Leedsii, £25. Spitzbergen £25 and many others, and these are not new, Broughshane at £65 is at least eight years old. So where will the prices end? and who pays these high prices? The answer is the Hybridist, and it is at the shows that the results of the Hybridist are to be seen. September in New Zealand is the month for daffodil shows. So a few notes may not be out of place. At planting time attention must be given to the season, the different varieties will flower and an earlier position must be chosen for late blooms and a later position for the early ones, so as to brine their flowering periods as near as possible together. If possible some arrangement should be made to protect the red cupped varieties from the weather in case this proves neces- i sary. It is best to cut most varieties when they are just opening and keep them in a cool, dark room. Trumpet varieties grow very little after being cut, so it is better to shade them on the pfiant. When taking the flowers to | the show always take one or two ! extra in case of mishan. Select boxes 1 that will provide ample room, so that there is no chance of damage and : fasten or cack the blooms so that , they will rot shift in transit. Get to the hall in good time and get the flowers in water as soon as posj sible to enable them to stiffen up. j Take sufficient leaves and moss for | staging and leave your exhibits clean and tidy. The arrangement of colours in the larger classes is important. Drooping kinds are better placed high up. The colours should be well assorted and the flowers with brightly coloured I cups distributed among the yellows ! and whites. Arrange the flowers with j long stems; they present a better apj pearance and look more important. ! Study the schedules and see that you j comply with the conditions. Many a i good exhibit has been disqualified because of some infringement, such as omitting to name when names are called for, for putting one too many or one too less in a class, or some other small irregularity; so be careful.