i88i.] MIGNONETTE -CULTURE. 157 



early and pushed forward rapidly, they frequently go off in early 

 autumn. Besides, their growth — which should always be strong, 

 vigorous, and sturdy— when made early entirely by artificial aid, with 

 an insufficient quantity of air, is weak and puny, and constantly 

 showing flower. 



The varieties best adapted for forcing are Parson's Tree Mignonette 

 and Miles's Hybrid Spiral. The latter is a very excellent variety, and 

 becoming a general favourite. It is more fragrant than the former, 

 and produces larger spikes when a good strain can be obtained — (this is 

 rather difficult, as there are already inferior forms of it in the market). 

 When true, it is unquestionably the best for growing in 6-inch pots 

 through the winter. For spring use I have always found the common 

 garden variety valuable. 



The seed should be sown in 2-inch pots, which should be clean and 

 well-drained, as these are important items in the culture of Mignon- 

 ette. The roots cling more to the pots than any plants I am 

 acquainted with, " Orchids excepted," if not thoroughly clean, and 

 renders turning them out of their pots difficult without pulling off a 

 quantity of their roots. The pots should be filled with a light rich 

 compost, and a few seeds sown in the centre of each, slightly covered 

 with light soil. It is a good plan to sow double the quantity of pots 

 required, as many of the plants may turn out inferior. Those with 

 small leaves should be destroyed, as they never produce good spikes 

 of bloom. After the seeds are sown and watered, they should be 

 placed in a temperature of 50° to 55° at night, when they will soon 

 germinate. A pit with a hot -water pipe round it is the place for 

 them, where they can be close to the glass, and receive plenty of 

 air on all favourable occasions, — at the same time cold draughts must 

 be avoided. The pots should be plunged if possible in cocoa-nut 

 fibre or any moisture - holding material. Failing this, they can be 

 started in a vinery or Peach-house, but must be placed where they can 

 receive plenty of light, and the small pots can be plunged into a box. 

 When the seedlings are up they are thinned out to two or three, which 

 are allowed to grow together until the best and most promising plant 

 can be determined upon, which alone should be retained. When about 

 2 inches high they should be supported with small stakes. By sowing 

 late the plants can be pushed on with all possible speed conducive to 

 their wellbeing. Quick growth is essential to healthy plants and 

 large spikes of flowers. When the small pots contain a mass of fine 

 white healthy roots, the plants should be transferred into 4-inch pots. 

 The compost should consist of rich fibry loam, a portion of thoroughly 

 rotten manure, leaf-mould, a little soot, and sufficient coarse sand to 

 render the whole porous. After the two first pottings the leaf -soil 

 can be dispensed with : it is good for the young plants, causing them 

 to make a quick growth. In potting, the soil should be pressed firmly 

 into the pots, and the plants shaded from bright sun until they com- 



