CHLAJPTER XXII. 



THE MIGNONETTE. How TO FORM A TREE. CINERARIA. WALL 

 FLOWER. STOCKGILLY. 



The Mignonette, or Reseda odorata,\s very desirable for winter bloom because 

 its perfume is so delicious. Linnaeus compares its odors to those of Ambrosia, 

 and it is sweeter and more penetrating at the rising and setting of the sun than 

 at noonday. 



Its floral language is, " Your qualities surpass your charms," for its flowers are 

 very insignificant when compared to the brilliant colorings of many others. 



For blooming in the house, the seeds should be sown in August, in the pots 

 where they will bloom ; and when started, pull up all but three or four good 

 strong roots, keep in a shady place, and pinch off the top shoots to keep the 

 plants from straggling; give liquid manure once a week, and by November you 

 will have a pot full of branches ; then let the buds form at their pleasure, and bo- 

 fore December is out, the flowers will be in great profusion. 



For soil in the pots, use 3 parts loam, 1 part dung, and 1 part leaf mould. 

 When water is applied, do so in the morning, so that the foliage may be dry 

 before night. 



To have Mignonettes the year round, begin sowing as early as February, then 

 again in April, in September and October. Thin out the plants as fast as they 

 grow up, to but five in the pot ; shade from the sun, in the heat of the day, as 

 otherwise the foliage might have a yellow and unsightly appearance. 



For training, five small stakes may be stuck into the pot at equal distances 

 from each other, and tie the plant thereto. 



In thinning, keep the largest in one pot and the smallest in others so as to 

 give a succession of bloom. If it is desired to cause any to bloom late, pinch off 

 the tops of a few as soon as they begin to flower ; they will break out again and 

 bloom three weeks or a month later than others of the same sowing. 



In boxes they are very pretty. It is best to grow them in pots first until just 

 ready to bloom, and then transfer them to the box, where they can branch out 

 and flower for a long time. 



The Mignonette is a native of Egypt and Barbary. In France and England it 

 is much cultivated in boxes made to fit into windows and balconies. 



To Form a Tree. 



This is an interesting operation, and one particularly agreeable to window gar- 

 deners, from the careful superintendence it requires, as well as the singularity, 



