158 THE GARDENER. [April 



mence to root into the new soil. When the plants are from 6 to 9 

 inches high, it must be decided whether they are to be trained pyra- 

 mids or on umbrella trellises, or staked for bushes, or any shape that 

 suits the taste or requirements of different cultivators. Those that 

 have the greatest inclination to branch should be selected for pyra- 

 mids, while those of upright growth, will be most suitable for the um- 

 brella trellises ; and as soon as side shoots are produced on the latter, 

 they should be removed until the desired height is attained, and then 

 be allowed to branch and cover the trellis allotted to tliem. Care 

 must be taken not to neglect the operation of potting, which must be 

 attended to from time to time as they fill their pots with roots, giving 

 them a shift of 2 inches each time until placed in 9- and 10-inch pots, 

 which is large enough for the final shifts. On each occasion the 

 frame should be kept close for a time, and the plants well syringed 

 two or three times a-day. They must have more air as the season 

 advances, and artificial heat gradually dispensed with. When well har- 

 dened they should occupy a cold frame, with a northern aspect if pos- 

 sible, where the direct rays of the sun will not strike upon them. If 

 the hot sun strikes upon the frame, shading must be resorted to, but 

 not so as to exclude light, which is very important. Mignonette likes 

 a cool moist bottom, and the pots should stand upon ashes. If placed 

 in a favourable position, the young growths will develop with great 

 rapidity. When transferred into their flowering - pots, the various 

 trellises can be placed to the plants, and the necessary training com- 

 menced at once. The flowers must be removed as they appear, and 

 more attention will be required in tying and stopping. 



Watering is of the greatest importance, and must be attended to 

 with care and discretion. If there is any secret in the production of 

 good Mignonette, it is in a judicious use of the water-pot. I have 

 invariably observed that if watering Mignonette has been intrusted to 

 one person over the greater portion of the season, and then is trans- 

 ferred to another, a number of plants generally go wrong, in spite of 

 all directions. They should never become saturated, or, on the other 

 hand, too dry ; a medium condition should be aimed at. If allowed 

 to suffer for want of water, the foliage soon presents a sickly appear- 

 ance, the wood becomes hard, and the progress of the plants is brought 

 to a standstill. When the pots are well filled with roots, weak stimu- 

 lants may be given occasionally. Clear soot-water acts quickly upon 

 the plants, and the foliage presents a fine dark-green hue when it is 

 used. By all means, strong doses of liquid manure must be avoided, 

 or failure is inevitable. 



Referring again to the summer treatment, syringing, watering, pick- 

 ing off the flowers, and training, must be attended to. Close training 

 should be avoided, as the plants do not look so natural, nor are their 

 spikes of flower so large and shown to such advantage. They should 

 have abundance of air night and day during summer, and remain in 



