46 Commercial Gardening 



mon Snowdrop, but they are yet very numerous. All the kinds may be 

 grown in well-drained garden soil in borders, rock gardens, between rows 

 of fruit trees, &c., according to circumstances and the objects in view. 



Galax aphylla. This charming North American hardy herbaceous 

 perennial has found its way into the markets and florists' shops, and even 

 among street sellers of late years. It grows about 6 in. high, and pro- 

 duces fine masses of large roundish green leaves which become beautifully 

 bronzed or crimsoned in autumn, and are, therefore, valuable as a backing 

 for cut flowers of a lighter colour. The plants flourish in peaty soil, or 

 in a garden soil well enriched with decayed manure, and, being easily 

 grown and lasting for years, may be regarded as a fairly lucrative if not 

 extensive crop. 



Galega officinalis (GOATS' HUE). A fine strong-growing European 

 perennial, 3-5 ft., with graceful pinnate leaves, and spikes of pale-blue 

 Pea-like blossoms borne in great profusion in summer. The white variety 

 alba is even more charming, and sells better. There is also an attractive 

 blue-and- white variety called bicolor. There is another kind, orientalis, 

 from the Caucasus, with bluish-purple flowers. The plants grow in any 

 garden soil, and are useful for cutting. They are readily increased by 

 division or from seeds, each established plant requiring about 1 sq. yd. 



Galtonia (Hyacinthus) candicans. This noble South African bulbous 

 plant has long, sword-like leaves, and tall erect racemes of drooping white 

 bell-shaped flowers in summer. It flourishes in good and well-drained 

 garden soil, but is only really hardy in the most-favoured spots. It is better 

 to lift the bulbs in late autumn and store till spring. At this season bulb 

 merchants sell a large number. The flower spikes are good for cutting, 

 but they are not likely to be grown extensively for market work. The 

 same may be said of G. princeps, which is very similar, but the white 

 flowers have a tinge of green in them. 



Gazania splendens. A pretty garden plant supposed to be a hybrid 

 between the orange G. rigens and the yellow G. uniflora, both natives 

 of South Africa. It grows about 1J ft. high, and has narrow spoon- 

 shaped leaves remarkable for the white under surface. The bright orange- 

 yellow flower heads, with a black and white spot at the base of each ray 

 floret, sometimes find their way to the market and sell readily. The plants 

 should be grown in a warm, sunny situation, in well-drained gritty soil. 

 They are best propagated by cuttings in July and August in cold frames, 

 and protected during the winter months in the same way as the shrubby 

 Calceolarias. 



Gentiana. Owing to the difficulty that is generally experienced in 

 cultivating the Gentians, they are found only in few gardens, where a 

 delight is taken in overcoming cultural obstacles. The trade in the plant 

 is naturally very restricted, but the brilliant blue of the flowers will always 

 induce a few to invest. The best blue kinds are acaulis (fig. 202) and 

 verna, each about 3 in. high, with masses of blue bell-shaped flowers 

 overtopping the leaves. They are most likely to succeed in well-drained 



