NOVEMBER. 243 



1^-inch deal, 9 inches wide, and giving the full 9 inches above the 

 surrounding level. 



Even with so much exciting material, I am in no way convinced 

 that I drive too much colour into my blooms ; it is the amount of 

 colour obtained that has so long wedded me to this system of " high 

 cultivation" in preference to the " starvation plan" so long stereo- 

 typed by writers. Tulips need " good growing" as much as any 

 subject with which I am acquainted ; the only care needed in the use 

 of rich condiments is, that they be previously well subdued by atmo- 

 spheric influences. 



I will give one fact more ere I close. Last season I planted in 

 my best bed forty breeder roots (liberally presented by a midland 

 friend), and comprising the principal varieties of the far-famed and 

 highly- valued Chellaston seedlings. Of these I have to record that 

 thirty-four roots did "break." Is not this contrary to the old pres- 

 tige of forcing into a rectified state by the " poverty principle ?" 

 Doubtless, however, entire change of soil and situation contributed 

 much to so important a result. 



Wace Cottage, Holloway. John Edwards. 



TREE MIGNONETTE. 



The Reseda odorata, or common sweet Mignonette, treated after 

 the following manner, forms a real treat in the conservatory during 

 the winter and spring months. 



Sow in spring a number of small 4-inch pots. When up, clear 

 oflf all the plants but one in the centre ; as it grows, train it upwards 

 to a stick until it is a foot high, or two, if you please ; do not allow 

 any side-shoots to grow on the stem, and remove all leaves to within 

 a few inches of its top. When the plant gets as high as you wish it, 

 top it, and then it will throw out side-branches. As they advance, 

 pinch off their tops until you have formed a nice bushy head to your 

 plant ; and above all things, do not allow any bloom to appear until 

 it has become strong, which will be by winter, if it has been well 

 attended to. For the first winter it will be advisable not to have 

 them in larger than 8-inch pots. Mignonette being an annual, if 

 the seeds are not picked off after flowering, it is ten to one but the 

 plant will die. I have had excellent Tree Mignonette three years' 

 old, very bushy, and full of flowers all winter. Mignonette is often 

 neglected at Midsummer, when our hands are full of other work ; 

 and yet this is the very time when Tree Mignonette wants most 

 care; for the flowers not being wanted during summer, ought then 

 to be removed, in order to have a fine winter display. To keep 

 worms from entering and disturbing the roots, add a handful of soot 

 at each shifting over the drainage. 



Mignonette delights in sandy loam not too light ; and being a 

 gross feeder, a little diluted manure-water may be given once a week 

 with advantage. If this is contemplated, the mould need not be 

 made so rich in the first instance. 



