302 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



practically biennials. They are not entirely hardy in 

 the northern part of the United States, hence require 

 careful winter protection. They have opposite, entire 

 leaves, and produce long, terminal spikes of showy flowers. 

 They are usually in shades of pink, red, yellow or white. 

 There are many varieties, and they vary in size and in the 

 color of the flowers. For culture under glass, the semi- 

 dwarf varieties are the most desirable. 



Habitat. Countries bordering on the Mediterranean 

 Sea. 



440. Commercial importance. Snapdragons have re- 

 cently come into quite general favor for cut-flowers. 

 This is due largely to the improvements in varieties. 

 F. W. Fletcher of Auburndale, Massachusetts, has had 

 marked success in growing this species. His suggestions 

 have been followed in the following cultural notes. 



441. Culture. Antirrhinums make an excellent crop 

 to follow chrysanthemums. The principal type grown 

 under glass is catalogued as " nanum grandiflorum." 

 This has many named varieties which are as continuous 

 in their blooming characters as are the carnations. 



442. Propagation. Antirrhinums are propagated by 

 seed or by cuttings, and experts disagree as to which 

 method is best. Seeds of well-established varieties will 

 usually give from fifty to seventy per cent of flowers 

 true to color. There is, however, considerable variation 

 in the height of growth. Seedlings make a quicker, more 

 succulent growth, but it renders them more susceptible 

 to serious leaf-spot diseases. Seedlings also have a tend- 

 ency to produce a spike with the flowers loosely arranged. 

 Propagation by cuttings is, therefore, more generally 

 preferred. For early flowering plants, cuttings are taken 

 or seed sown in March or April, and the resulting plantlets 



