ANTIRRHINUMS 17 



Antirrhinum. Its popularity increases with every improvement 

 made in it, and these are many and often. We know several 

 firms whose annual distribution of this plant ranges from 50,000 

 to 100,000. Its value is enhanced by reason of its being a two- 

 season plant. Sown in July, plants are raised to flower in the 

 late spring ; sown in February, the product is for ordinary 

 summer flowering. 



A fair collection would comprise 60 varieties that is, 

 20 varieties each of Majus, intermediate and dwarf. Even so, 

 many meritorious varieties would not be included. We sow 

 always in boxes, the July sown being stood in the open, with 

 or without protection, and the seedlings are transplanted into 

 prepared beds or into cold frames. Usually the stock is sold 

 out by the end of October, but any residue would certainly 

 be transferred to frames, for it is only in the warm counties 

 that it can be safely wintered in the open air. 



We are not greatly concerned with these, seeing they 

 have little to do with the houses. It is the February sowing 

 we have most to do with, for the greater part of the time before 

 being planted out they have greenhouse treatment. For the 

 sowing, we use boxes i5'xio'X2|', and also for the trans- 

 planting. Sow thinly in moderately good well-drained soil and 

 darken for a few days. The seeds will germinate in a week, 

 when the shading must be removed and the boxes stood in the 

 full light. Transplant them when large enough, 48 to a box, 

 using a fairly generous compost composed of loam, manure 

 and leaf -mould. Use no crocks, but put an inch of rough manure 

 and leaf -mould in the bottom. There being no great depth 

 of soil, and the plants having to do their bit entirely in the 

 boxes in which they are first transplanted, the manure or leaf- 

 mould act as a wet nurse, and holds and feeds the mass of roots 

 which quickly appear. 



Do not attempt to grow Antirrhinums in strong heat ; the 

 temperature of an ordinary greenhouse is warm enough. 

 When they have developed four pairs of leaves, nip off the top. 

 Plants not so stopped become attenuated and weak, and will 

 never become satisfactory. 



The young plants require very careful watering, for standing 



