A HISTORY OF CORNWALL Scilly are : The Sally White, and the old English daffodil (both of which grew in abun- dance at Holy Vale, Newford, Trenoweth, and elsewhere on the islands), and Grand Monarque, of which great quantities were to be found on Garrison Hill. For some years the only other varieties cultivated were : Solell for, Glorioso, and Ornatus. Every year, however, brought fresh cultivators into the field, and new varieties to the stock, which now number over 200. The chief varieties in addition to those already mentioned, which are extensively grown, are : Sir Watkm, Horsfeldii, Emperor, Empress, Sir Henry Irving, Princeps, Golden Spur, and Incomparabilis. Of these Princeps and Incomparabilis crop heavily only once in three years. Time brings its revenges, and Holland which formerly supplied the bulk of the bulbs for Cornish cultivation is now a large importer of Cornish bulbs. The Cornwall Spring Show in April, and the Scilly Flower Show, which formerly took place in March, have done much to encourage this industry both by calling attention to the beauty and perfection of the flowers grown in Cornwall, and by intro- ducing Cornish growers to new varieties of the narcissus. The narcissus is not the only flower grown for sale. Before its cultivation was seriously re- solved upon, the wall-flower had been profitably grown for years. At the present time besides wall-flowers and narcissi (and, to a much less extent, tulips, freesias, hyacinths, ixias, and spar- axis), the gladiolus, iris, and violet on the main- land, and the arum, marguerite, and blood-red anemone on the islands, are grown in great pro- fusion. Moreover there is good reason to believe that owing to its mild and salubrious climate the inhabitants of West Cornwall especially will in years to come be drawn more and more strongly towards an industry which already affords employ- ment to a very large number of persons of both sexes, and which, involving as it does the con- stant exercise of the powers of observation and no little scientific knowledge, seems eminently suited to the genius of the Cornish people. That it can become a source of considerable profit, wherever intelligence and industry are found combined, is beyond question. So far the cultivation of flowers has been treated exclusively as a source of profit. With- out going into detail, however, it may be allow- able, at this point, to call attention to the excep- tional interest which attaches to the gardens of some of the larger country seats in the county. The same conditions which have contributed to the profitable cultivation of flowers have also contributed to the singular success which has attended the efforts of those who have grown flowers and shrubs as a source of pleasure and recreation, and as affording a subject for scienti- fic study. Wherever the gardener's art is allowed free scope, pretty and picturesque effects can always be obtained ; but in Cornwall some- thing more than this has been attempted and has been achieved. The magnificent collections of rhododendrons (sikkims) and other effective trees and shrubs at Tregothnan, Heligan, Killiow, Carclew, Tremough, and Pentillie Castle (which is also famed for its azaleas), the flowering sub- . tropical shrubs and orange trees of Mount Edgcumbe, the sub-tropical shrubs and plants of Tresco, Menabilly, Killiow, Trewidden, and Penjerrick, the herbaceous and Alpine plants of Trehane and Ludgvan Rectory, the flowering , shrubs and tree ferns of Caerhayes and Bosahan ; these are but a few of the many gardens in Corn- wall which bear witness to the perseverance, enterprise, and knowledge of the owners of those famous houses. Equally important, if somewhat less interest- ing, is the cultivation of vegetables. The West Cornwall potato trade has been in existence since the year 1820, but it is only within the last twenty-five years that market gardeners have given special attention to it. It is noteworthy, however, that as soon as their efforts were directed towards the growing of early potatoes they met with complete success. The fact that potatoes could be produced in the open eight or ten weeks earlier in Scilly than in the Midland counties led to extensive operations, not only on the islands but also on the sunny southern slopes of West Cornwall. At first round potatoes were tilled, but very soon these gave place to Myatt's Early Ashleaf and other modern varieties. The seed potatoes usually arrive in October. They are immediately placed in a storeroom to shoot, and are planted in January and February. On the islands fishing nets are used as a protection against the devastating winds which sweep across the islands in early spring. The potato season extends from the beginning of May to the end of June. The average yield per acre on well-cultivated farms of elvan soils amounts to 10 tons in May and to 14 tons in June. On the islands, however, it is much less. The crop depends largely upon the amount of manure supplied, a ton of guano and 1 60 loads of dressing to the acre being used where a heavy crop is expected. The cultivation of potatoes under glass is not generally adopted. Now that steam navigation has replaced the slower methods of transit and the cost of freight is so small, a supply of early potatoes, grown in the open, can be procured from abroad for the greater part of the year ; and hence there is no likelihood of artificial modes of cultivation ever becoming general. The railway company's returns, hereunder given, represent approximately the potato crop of West Cornwall for the years referred to : Tons sent off by train. igOl 4,600 1902 6,100 I93 6 >3 1904 5>2oo <;8o
