360 THE GARDENER. [Aug. 



plants. Thus for Little Pixie Cabbage or Dwarf Ulm Savoy, 2 ft. 

 by 1 ft. 6 in. is ample on ordinary soil ; while on good soil, with 

 strong plants put out early in May, 2 J ft. by 1 ft. 8 in. is not too 

 much for such things as Brussels Sprouts. 2 ft. by 1 ft. G in. may 

 be taken as an average width likely to suit the others on ordinary 

 soils, but observation will teach each individual what is most proper 

 in his own case. 



As soon as the plants are large cno lgh the soil between the rows 

 should be carefully dug over with a fork, and the plants steadied by 

 having the earth drawn to the stems with a hoe, as is usually done 

 with potatoes. On very light soils in dry seasons, a mulching of rot- 

 ten manure between the rows will prove of the greatest benefit, by 

 preventing the escape of the natural moisture in the soil. Soakings 

 of sewage or other liquid manure will also prove beneficial. 



Gardener. 



MIGNONETTE-CULTURE. 



As I have been very successful in growing this favourite plant, a few 

 remarks as to my mode of culture may not be out of place in the 

 pages of ' The Gardener,' to such of your amateur and lady readers as 

 may cultivate this sweet-scented flower. The only variety I have 

 grown this season is Miles' Hybrid Spiral, which is quite an acqui- 

 sition for pot-culture, the spikes being much larger and the flowers 

 more fragrant than any other variety I have hitherto cultivated in 

 pots. To have a succession of blooms, the seeds should be sown at 

 intervals of a month or six weeks, from April to September. Prepare 

 a few 3-inch pots by cleaning and draining them well : fill them 

 with a compost of light loam, leaf-mould, and sand in a fine state, 

 and sow a few seeds in the centre of each, not all in a heap, but 

 scattered thinly over an inch or two of the surface, and cover lightly 

 with some of the finest of the soil, and place them in a warm pit or 

 house where they can enjoy a temperature ranging from 50° in the 

 night to 60° in the day, after which water with a fine-rosed watering- 

 pan, and cover them with a circular piece of glass, which helps to 

 retain the moisture and keeps up a more equable temperature. As 

 soon as the young plants appear above the soil, tilt the glass at one 

 side by inserting a tally or small piece of wood between the rim of 

 the pot and the glass, and gradually inure the plants to the genial atmo- 

 sphere of the pit or house. As soon as it can be distinguished which 

 are the strongest plants, remove all the others, and let the strong 

 ones take full possession of the pots. They will soon gain size and 



