I 



ANTIRRHINUMS 7 



Reference to one of the early catalogues published by 

 that fine old florist, John Forbes of Hawick, serves to 

 show that in the seventies and eighties the speckled and 

 striped varieties were the prime favourites, for in a list 

 of seventy-five named varieties not one self-coloured is 

 included ; but that these were grown simply for bedding 

 purposes is evidenced by the fact that in the catalogue 

 paragraphs from the current issues of the Garden are 

 reprinted which relate that gatherings of Snapdragons 

 had been received from Hawick, and that " the most 

 beautiful are the ' selfs,' which in our opinion are much 

 superior to the fancy speckled strains that are coming so 

 much into vogue.** 



Whether the writer of that paragraph was right or 

 wrong must ever remain a matter of individual opinion 

 and taste, but at all events, were he writing to-day, he 

 surely would rejoice in the fact that self-coloured Antir- 

 rhinums of the richest and most gorgeous hues have not 

 only come into vogue, but have attained widespread popu- 

 larity. Indeed, few flowers have of late years made such 

 remarkable progress, for the modern Antirrhinum bids 

 fair to occupy the foremost position among subjects for 

 massing in beds and borders, and it is also becoming more 

 prominent each year as an exhibition flower, although the 

 manner in which it is shown at our leading shows differs 

 from the style of the old florists ; for whereas they were 

 accustomed to set up individual spikes, we now put up 

 great masses which produce an imposing effect. 



The points of merit in the old type beloved of the florist 

 were clear, distinct, and evenly distributed markings on a 

 ground of either yellow or pure white. The petal or 

 standard at the back of the flower was required to be of 

 neat, symmetrical outline ; the nose and lip must be well 

 rounded, having a " full " appearance ; and the nose itself 

 was generally tipped with deep yellow, whatever the 

 colour of the rest of the flower. The mouth and throat. 



