94 THE amateur's GEEENHOUSE 



perhaps, a few of our readers will find that what we have to 

 say upon it is somewhat new as well as useful, for humble as 

 the plant is, we have given it some amount of special attention. 

 In the books mignonette is described as an annual that should 

 be sown where it is to remain, as it cannot with any safety be 

 transplanted. These statements are correct if the cultivator will 

 but allow them to be so, but it is in the power of art to make 

 nonsense of them. When allowed to go on in its own way 

 mignonette is strictly an annual which flowers, ripens seed, 

 and perishes. But if we cut the flowers as fast as they are 

 produced, and never allow a single seed pod to be formed, the 

 plant will live any number of years, and continually increase 

 in size if assisted with root room and liquid manure until it 

 becomes a gigantic wonder. "We have kept the same plants 

 seven years, and then threw them away because of their un- 

 manageable magnitude. To manage the mignonette as a 

 round perennial bush, and have it in flower the whole year 

 round is most easy. Sow two or three seeds each in 60- 

 size pots in rich, light, loamy compost. From May to August is 

 the best time for this business. When the plants are fairly 

 up pull out the weakest, and leave only one plant in each pot. 

 K"eep them in the greenhouse only when the state of the 

 weather compels, for they should make all their summer 

 growth in the open air. As soon as they begin to show 

 flower, and long before the flowers open, pinch out the top of 

 the plant, and a week afterwards shift into 48-size. They will 

 again show flower very soon, and the process of pinching and 

 potting on must be repeated. This, with constant and careful 

 watering, will ensure the formation of fine bushy plants in 32- 

 size pots. If this occurs in winter keep them in a warm place 

 near the glass, and allow the fiowers to open, and the result 

 will be a beautiful spectacle, and a difi'usion of the most 

 delicious fragrance. Watch the plants closely, and the instant 

 that seed-pods are apparent, cut all the flower spikes away, 

 and prune the whole plant tenderly, so as to keep it round 

 and bushy, and again place near the glass, but do not disturb 

 the roots, for they may stand twelve months in the 32-size 

 pots. As soon as the new shoots appear and another bloom is 

 promised, water with very weak liquid manure, and continue 

 this to make amends for the exhaustion of the soil. When the 

 bloom is again passing, pinch and prune. After they have 

 been in the pots twelve or fifteen months turn them out care- 



