1870.] MODE OF CULTIVATING MIGNONETTE. 279 



also answers well ; so does the Alexandrian Laurel and common Butcher's Broom. 

 It is needless to name all the plants that are worked into these scrolls ; suffice it 

 to say that they are full and well done. In the panels next the house, Shamrocks 

 are worked in Box, very appropriate and very pretty. 



"But the scroll-work, however cleverly designed and filled with dwarf plants, 

 would be tame without the tall ones. There is in the scrolls a carpeting of many 

 colours, but if there were no tall plants the winter-garden would be something 

 like an elegant room carpeted to perfection, but destitute of furniture. The tall 

 plants are indispensable to the winter-garden. They consist chiefly of Yews and 

 some of the finer Cupressus. Particularly beautiful are some specimens of C. 

 elegans and Thuja Nepalensis, with various Red Cedars. In the centre of each 

 of the panels next the house is a statuette on a pedestal, representing some 

 out-of-the-way human beings of a negro-looking type. We agree with Mr 

 M'Donald that statues of Goldsmith and Moore would be better. Near the river 

 end of the intersecting walk is a handsome sun-dial, on a pedestal of Cork marble. 

 The small walks in the scroll are filled with various-coloured gravel. 



" We see in this garden how much can be done with shrubs and plants of a 

 shrubby character. As a winter-garden this is a gem. The general impression 

 that it leaves on the mind is that of richness. The walls, the terraces, the walks, 

 the panels, the plants combined, form a picture of rare beauty. It reflects credit 

 alike on the proprietor and the gardener." 



A COTTAGER'S MODE OF CULTIVATING MIGNONETTE. 



I hope you will permit me to make a few remarks for the benefit of 

 those of my own class that have no garden. To these I say, Make 

 the best use you can of your windows. This is already being done 

 quite extensively in the case of the more tasteful dwellings of many 

 of the working classes; and to those who object to attempt anything 

 of the kind on the ground of want of skill as cultivators, I say, A care- 

 ful and regular attendance is much more requisite than a scientific 

 knowledge, though both are very essential to the successful florist. 



A few hints on the culture of Mignonette as a window-plant may 

 be of service to those of my own class who are among the readers of 

 this work. The end of April is the best time to sow the seed. 

 As it is intended that the plant to be raised should last for a consider- 

 able time, it is essential to lay a good foundation in the preparation of 

 the soil. It should be a rich compost ; one-third cow-dung that is dry 

 enough to crumble to small pieces, more than one-third of good mellow 

 loam, and the remainder silver sand, with a handful of old lime-mortar 

 dust, to keep the compost open. Having prepared the soil and pro- 

 vided the seed (that known as the large flowering Mignonette is the 

 best), then take as many pots, from 3 to 4 inches in diameter, as will be 

 required, place at the bottom of each for drainage a few small pieces of 



