Daffodil Notes from New South Wales.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 20, 17 May 1911, Page 41

Daffodil Notes from New South Wales.

The grower of daffodils in the coast district te New South Wales, though obtaining fairly satisfactory results, especially from the early blooming varieties, is quite taken out of conceit with himself when brought face to face with flowers grown in the mountain districts where climatic conditions are more favourable. Still, there is a place for both, and as the mountain-grown flowers come in much later than those grown in the milder climate of the coast, they do not come into competition to any great extent. During the early part of September I had the opportunity of repeating the pleasant experience of several past years by spending a charming week-end with Mr. Arthur Yates at his picturesque bulb farm at Exeter, where I was fortunate enough to catch many of the newer daffodils at their best. When I say "newer” varieties it must, of course, be understood that imported bulbs, taking as they do from two or three seasons to acclimatise, are classed here as novelties long after they nave ceased to be so looked upon in England. Mr. Yates is a largs grower, and at present has about twelve acres under daffodils, holding large stocks of the standard varieties, together with a good choicer kinds, comprising in all not fewer than 400 varieties, besides a large series of seedlings in atl stages of and ever-increasing collection of the growth. In addition to daffbdils, attention is devoted to tulips, paeonies. Iris in large variety, ornamental trees and shrubs, while a portion of the ground*

is specially reserved for seed-testing. Passing thaswgh gyrat breadth* te fite* eeps numbesgd by the- hundred ten*naw*, extensive ted* at Emperor and Esapraa* Sir Watkin, and other standard varieties, rows upon rows af Poeticus—owns tux, praeeox. Poetarum, Almira, and grandiflorna—l found myself suddenly brought up almost with a gasp, for before me, rank upon rank, where many of the “blue bloods” of the daffodik world, veritable aristocrats hitherto known only from catalogue deueri prion* and associated with prices altogether beyond the resources of a slender purse. dpaee- will not permit me to- do more than briefly criticise the varieties, which most appealed to me, and of these there were so many that I can well afford to pass over the items in which I was disappointed. Of yellow trumpets King Alfred- all round held pride of place for size, combined with barance and extreme refinement. Van Waveren's Giant' and Olympia, huge and striking, but somewhat coarse by contrast; Monarch and Lord Roberts, of great beauty and refinement; Fred Moore, Golden Nugget, Shakespeare, Glory of Leiden (rarely good near the coast). Golden Bell, Admiral Togo, and Mona (a Victorian seedling), all in good form: while Emperor Constantine, a gigantic Emperor of great refinement ano fine constitution, was one that specially impressed me. This variety, imported as an unnamed seedling, will unquestionably make a name tor itself when better known. As against the giants, the Johnstonii varieties Queen te Spain and J. BennettPoe were much in evidence, their dainty beauty being quite * restful e.ffeet and affording an excellent foil to the grandeur of their majestic brethren. Of bicolor trumpets Weardale Perfection, seen in considerable quantity, was voted the first place te honour, with Duke te Bedford a close second. Mrs. MoretandGrosfield i by no means a novelty t was large and showy and of very pure colouring—this variety ran T. A. Dhrrieir Smith very closely; while Coronet, with its splendid frilled trumpet, wan not to be lightly passed over. Mme. dtr Graaff was in plenty, and in spkmdid. condition, as was Mrs. J. B. M. Camnr; but the earlier wbires, a number, te which are about to be discarded, were, » a whole, past their best. Among the Leedsir varieties. J was specially, fascinated with Diana and Her grand cup, beside which that te Aa iadhe is test. White Queen was magnificent and well worthy of. all: her champiom ships, while White Lady, Maggie and Elaine made a trios of ehaening ladies-in-waiting. Of the incomparabilia E consider that Homespun stands alone as a model te balance and refinement; but Lemon Queen, seen for the first time, was perhaps the most noticeable-, while Noble. Soltotare. Orangeman, T.ucifer Ewith- tax. splendid red cupK Lulworth- and LadM Mtegoret Boscawen. all had tSnir indi» ridual attractions, Albatooea,. with rfsmore satisfactory twia aiafisn SeaguH. ;nnd) Che two reputed sporto femr- Bh*te: com spieuus (-Latfig Godiva aste Btanston * wei» te their best;, tftor. tate-naraedi. which I bate an* pnevioategr **>h;»» '*ppoetimity, te seeing ia wtny- toveJJc A propo* te too tendency te Barri conspieuus to> sport, it ma-g be- mentioned that it has- given te least one spurt in ■Sydney, whieir very closely resembles. Lady Godiva. In the Parvi section the glowing cups of Firebrand, Orestes and rendered them very prominent. Zenith was much in evidence, while the exquisite purity of old favourites such as Ellen Barr and. Falstaff. as seen in the mass, still hold a good position in spite of the many new acquisitions. lit the Eugleheartii section Incognita reminded me somewhat of Queen iiophia, while the sight of Circlet assured me that I had made no error in-ordering it. Astradente, too, with its brilliantly edged' flat cup, is a very striking variety. Triumph, Jaune a Merveille, Elvira and* others, judging by the brave show they made, indicate that the Poetaz varieties revel under Australian eonditions, andi for decorative purposes should prove invaluable. While the older Pbetieus forms are grown in large quantities at Exeter, many of the later creations, sueh as Homer, Horace, Chaucer, and Dante; are now making a show aud proving wortfay representatives of a section which, in my opinion, embraces the gems of the Narcissus family. A series of seedlings, most of them blooming for the first or second time, were to me of special interest; but as they represent the results of crosses made chiefly from the commoner varic, ties, great results cannot lie looked for. Still, it was encouraging to find here and - there seedlings of great promises io>

eluding an exquisite pure white Tarv( sonmmtot te tri* type te Etheseul. which wiD serttetey be a pria* if it develops welk A* Mv. Yates has of xennat years been working exclusively from the betriwvwrieties, his many thousands of seed lings, -ow in all stages of development should help largely m the future to provide a race of local varieties better adapted to Australian climatic conditions teas are many of the imported kinds. H. SELKIRK. Sydney, Jiew South Waves.