A NOTED VISITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2409, 3 May 1900, Page 8

A NOTED VISITOR.

pleasant surprise— nothing less than a visit from Mr Peter Barr, V.M.H. (Victorian Medallist in Horticulture), on of England's eminent horticulturists, but •who is probably best known for his labours in collecting and popularising the daffodil, to which work he has devoted much. time. The other day when Mr- Barr came up to me and asked if J .were the- curator, and 1 replied in the affirmative, lie gave me his "card. At a glance I knew who my visitor wss, and as we shook hands, ' I asked, "Is it possible that I am shaking hands with 'the " Daffodil! King?" He smiled, ,and replied. "3Tes," and it is n'eeddes's to add that a pleasant, hour or two was spent in his "company chatting about plants -in general,, and when I went' to the' ? station on the following morning to bid .him adieu I felfsorry that his stay was not of longer duration. . ' J,!It may interest some to know that Mr Barr labpuredjfor 20 years before he could succeed .in getting- the British public to cake an interest ;in the cultivation x oi" narcissi, j but now they are the most popular class of i bulbs in cultivation^, and Mr Barr informed me that the colonies are following in the I wake- of the old country in the love of these beautiful spring bulbs, and that the newest and best varieties are being introduced into | Christcliureh.' Several -of these are quoted ' in Mr Barr's catalogue at 16 guineas per bjilb, cr 12 varieties, one Tmlb of each, for 50 guineas. Prices range down to one penny each. I , Many of the species are 'natives of the mountainous regions of Spain, the French 'Pyrenees, «nd othei mountainous parts of Europe and Northern Africa, and in these places Mr Barr has ,spent considerable time -studying his floral favourites in - their native habitats, and no man knows better tlie' habits and requirements -of the large family' of narcissi than Mrj 'Barr. Owing < .to his love and- knowledge _of these flowers, Horticulturists 1 of Great Britain, and" e.lsewhere "have! called- Kirn - -?' The Daffodil King." *In_ his- "nurseries, Long Ditton, Surrey, England, sevenS acres' are. devoted to daffodil . culture. '. The collection at -one, time represented^ more than -500 "species and varieties * and." several millions of bulbs. Whit a granjd.sightttiese-must.be when in bloom! Besides the narcissus he has de-; v ,voted. much, attention to. other bulbs, hardy plants, and seeds, and. has given particular attention to the beautiful genus peony, and in recognition of his services to horticulture the London Garden has dedicated " one of its volumes to him. From this dedication notice, I learn that Mr Barr was born at Goyan, on the Clyde, in* April, 1826, and that his love, for the tulip beds in his father's garden decided his fate. At an .arfy , age he was employed, /in a Glasgow- seed shop, and later_ on in "other nursery - and seed establishments. Gaining experience with his years, he_ finally started business on his own account-in 1861. -Now", after having passed his three score years and ten s he is on a tour' of the world, having ' visited the United States, Manila, Japan, and he has now passed through New Zealand, on his way to Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, and the Cape. Should he find things unsettled there, his intention is to spend a few months visiting the islands before his return to England. This expedition at his time of life is the outcome of the quality that has made him a successful business man — to wit, an insatiable thirst for knowledge', on every conceivable subject. That, aftei his wanderings in many lands, Mr Barr may return in safety to his honie is the sincere wisli of the -writer of these notes.

"JAMES. GEBBIE. Public u-ardens, Oamaru. ,