HARDY PLANTS. 
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in summer. The variety Majus bears much larger flowers. 
A native of N. Africa. A. ramosum is a graceful plant with 
grassy foliage and branching spikes of small white blossoms. 
Native of Europe. All the species require a well-drained 
and rich soil. Heavy soils should have plenty of decayed 
manure and leaf soil mixed with them, and light ones a 
liberal dressing of rotten cow manure. Damp, water-logged 
soils must be avoided. They are excellent plants on a partially 
shaded border, but will also do well in sun. Plant in October 
or March. Mulch with rotten manure every spring, then the 
plants will develop into large clumps and flower freely. Propa- 
gation may be effected by division of the roots in autumn 
or spring, also by seeds sown in pots or boxes in a cold frame 
at any time. See also Bulbinella and Paradisea. 
Antirrhinum (Snapdragon). — The Antirrhinum or Snap- 
dragon is one of our most popular garden flowers. A. majus, 
the species from which all the numerous varieties grown in 
English gardens have sprung, is a native of this country, and 
may often be seen growing wild on old walls and chalky 
railway banks. The only other species worthy of note here is 
A. Asarina, a trailing plant with greyish, clammy foliage and 
pale yellow or white flowers. It is a most interesting plant. 
We once succeeded in making a cross between this and A. 
majus, and were successful in rearing plants, but unfortunately 
lost them before flowering. This species requires to be grown 
in well-drained sandy loam on a sunny rockery. Easily 
increased by seeds sown in sandy soil in a cold frame in 
March, and planted out later. With regard to the varieties 
of A. majus, there are tall, medium, and dwarf kinds or strains, 
the latter being known as the Tom Thumb strain. Nearly 
every seedsman has his own special strain. For the best 
go to the leading seedsmen who make it their business to 
supply seeds of carefully selected sorts only. Seeds may be 
sown in August in a border at the foot of a south wall, in 
gentle heat in February or March, in a south border outdoors 
in March, or in June or July in the open garden. The 
August-sown plants need protecting by a frame in winter, and 
planting out in spring. ,, The February sowing can be hardened 
off in a frame in March, and planted out in April. The March 
sowing may be transplanted in May or June, and the June 
sowing in autumn or early the following season. The August 
and February plants would flower in summer, the others the 
next season. Though perennials, it is best, in the case of 
heavy soils and cold districts, to treat the Snapdragon as a 
biennial, rearing fresh plants annually. In warm districts 
and on well-drained soils Snapdragons will grow and flower 
freely for years. Where choice named varieties are grown 
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