The Waikato Independent THE PAPER THAT COVERS THE WAIKATO. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1921 DAFFODIL SHOW

Waikato Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2444, 15 September 1921, Page 4

The Waikato Independent THE PAPER THAT COVERS THE WAIKATO. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1921 DAFFODIL SHOW

"Queen Daffadowndilly has come into town, In yellow petticoats, and a green gown. ’’

There are fashions in flowers, as in everything else. Various flowers have reigned in popular favour from time to time, and many one-time favourites have been relegated to the background. On the other hand, a number of garden flowers which were in the height of fashion, and tended with care by practicularly all in the olden days, then being discarded for many years, are again being cultivated very freely — such is the fickleness of human nature. Among the flowers coining into this latter category are wallflowers and antirrhinums, neglected for a lengthy period, but once again—and justly so — reinstated into the favour of the public. Daffodils, however, have been grown for centuries, and, with the single exception of the rose, which, of course, stands affine —the acknowledged queen of flowers —are the most popular flower of to-day. It may be news to some to know' that that splendid old gardener, Theophrastus of Eresus, cultivated what were then called " narldssos, " now termed narcissus, several hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. He writes of these flowers: "Its leaves spread on the ground like an asphodel, but are broader than those of lilies; its stalk is leafless, arid bears at the top an herbaceous flower, and dark-coloured fruit enclosed in a vessel of an oblong figure; this fruit falling down, sprouts spontaneously, though some gather it for sowing. The roots also are planted, which are large, round and fleshy. " Through all the centuries from the time of ancient* Thcoplirasus until the present day, daffodils —the common name of plant's of the genus narcissus and common order amaryllidacoae — have been tended with loving cave bv thousands of devotees, their praise has been sung by ail the leading poets of: all ages, and this flower bus steadily

gained in favour in every civilised land Of Into years hytlridisers have accomplished marvellous results by cross-fer-tilisation, producing hundreds of entirely new varieties of wondrous beauty, which have made daffodils more popular than ever, and to-day the range of varieties seems endless, and the possibilities of the future boundless. The fact that daffodils are among our earliest flowers of spring—as Shakespeare says, they "come before Ihc swallow dares, and take the winds of March with beauty"—tends to make them even more welcome. Of course, daflodil growers arc most ardent lovers of these beautiful flowers, but there is practically none who do not admire the loveliest of all spring flowers. The annual flower shows 'present excellent opportunities for the public to see displays of what some term " fashion’s favourite flower," and the next exhibition, under the auspices of the Cambridge Daffodil Society, to be held on Friday and Saturday, should draw a great crowd of people; indeed every lover of tho beautiful should most certainly make a point of being present. The Cambridge district is i’arncd for- its ■flowers. We have soil and climate specially suited for the culture of daffodils, and many local enthusiasts have devoted much cave and attention to this fascinating hobby. Thus the public can depend on seeing a glorious display of lovely spring blooms —an exhibition that will amply repay all who take the trouble to attend, and should stimulate interest, in 0110 of the most delightful of all hobbies —floriculture. The local Daffodil Society deserves the very best

encouragement in its good work —that of cultivating a greater love of flowers, and we confidently look to the residents of the town and district to accord their heartiest support to to-morrow and Saturday's show. EDITORIAL NOTES

Forecasting the Seasons

A contribution to the discussion whether it is possible to forecast the weather for a coming season, is made by Mr D. C. Bates, director of the Government meteorological office, in a communication lately addressed to Mr William Gave, of Auckland. The writer stated that he had examined the records of British rainfall since 1903, to compare the results with the season's rainfall following in Auckland. His reason was that the subject was alarming the farmers in the province, who, ho understood, had been told that the recent drought in England presaged a drought in this country. Mr Bates said that the months of May, June, July and August in England corresponded to Novamber, December, January and February in this Dominion. In the 17 years ho had examined, only in 1914 did the conditions in the four months correspond with those in the four summer mouths in England. Taking the months seriatim, May corresponded with November 10 times, but "differed seven times; June corresponded with December also 10 times, but differed seven times; July corresponded with January eight times, but differed nine times; August also corresponded with February eight times, but differed nine times. These results showed a correspondence in 36 instances, and a difference in 32. Commenting on the figures, Mr Bates said that if two men were to play pitch and toss they would apparently have about as much chance of two heads corresponding, or two tails, as two wet months, or two dry ones, corresponding or differing in the above instances. This, he thought, clearly showed tha'i there was no cause for alarm as to the drought in England being repeated in the Dominion. In his opinion, no reliance could be placed upon sun-spot or cycle theories for forecast for the coming season. .