ioo Commercial Gardening 



.Sf. acaulis and its double - flowered form, a dense -tufted species with 

 pink, rose, crimson, or white flowers; S. Elizabethce, bright rose; S. mari- 

 tima flore plena, white, double; S. Pumilio, 3 in. high, rose; S. Saxifraga, 

 6 in., white; S. Schafta, 12 in., purple; S. Zawadski, white. 



Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus). The original species from which 

 the numerous varieties now grown have sprung is indigenous to England, 

 and may frequently be seen growing on old walls or chalk cliffs in various 

 parts of the country. From this it may be inferred that the plant prefers 

 a certain root-dryness, or at least a light, well-drained soil. Such a deduc- 

 tion would be quite correct. 



To-day there are three distinct types or classes of these flowers, viz. 

 "tall", which attain to 3 ft. high; "intermediate", from 1J ft. to 2 ft. high; 

 and the " dwarf " or " Tom Thumb " set, which are rarely more than 6 in. 

 high. Each group or set contains a great variety of colour yellow, white, 

 crimson, and the like. For general purposes, while the Tom Thumb and 

 tall-growing varieties are valuable in their way, the intermediate section 

 must, I think, be regarded as the most serviceable. This group embraces 

 orange, apricot, pink, crimson, white, and yellow, with intermediate shades. 

 The varieties of this set are as valuable in the cut state or in pots as they 

 are in the garden. Hence to the commercial gardener who delights in 

 having more than one string to his bow they are most desirable. 



The seeds of these plants and it should be remembered that all classes 

 come true from seeds constitute a distinct and valuable asset not to be 

 overlooked. For garden purposes and for seed-growing these Antirrhinums 

 should be regarded as half-hardy annuals, sowing the seeds in January or 

 February of each year. A great trade is done by selling shallow boxes 

 of seedlings every spring. [E. H. J.] 



SolidagfO (GOLDEN ROD). Coarse-growing but ornamental perennials 

 with feathery trusses of golden-yellow flowers. They grow anywhere, but 

 prefer sunny places, and may be easily increased by division in spring. 

 There are about eighty kinds known, the best being canadensis, rigida, 

 rugosa, Shorti, and speciosa, varying from 3-6 ft. high; and S. Virgaurea, 

 1-2 ft. 



Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum). From a commercial 

 point of view Solomon's Seal must be regarded as among the lesser 

 lights, yet possessing a value of its own in the early forcing department 

 and because of its inimitable and graceful habit of growth. The plant 

 produces fleshy underground shoots or rhizomes, which in October may 

 be lifted, the larger ones being selected for sale and for forcing. The 

 plant grows freely in the rich moist soils of the garden and in shade, 

 and, given these conditions, asks for nothing more. Producing a mat 

 of rhizomes below ground, a large number of its roots may be planted 

 on a small space, and when of forcing size find a ready sale. 



In some market gardens Solomon's Seal is planted between the standard 

 or half-standard fruit trees, and flourishes exceedingly well, throwing up 

 leaf stalks 3 ft. long, and having from twelve to eighteen clusters of droop- 



