296 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



MIGNONETTE 



420. Botanical classification. Order, Resedacese ; 

 genus, Reseda (from the Latin to calm, said to allude to 

 supposed sedative properties) ; species, odorata. 



421. Botanical characters. Mignonette is a branch- 

 ing, annual herb which at first grows upright, but later 

 becomes more or less decumbent and wide-spreading. 

 The leaves are simple. The fragrant yellow and white 

 flowers are borne on spicate racemes which vary in size 

 with different strains of seed. 



Habitat. Northern Africa. 



422. Commercial importance. Although mignonette 

 has been grown under glass for many years, it is only 

 recently that growers have specialized with this crop for 

 winter forcing. Careful selection of seed has resulted 

 in greatly improved strains. Formerly, the mignonette 

 spikes were scattered and comparatively small ; now 

 large spikes of dense flowers are being produced. The 

 sprays are very pleasing when arranged with carnations 

 or other flowers having scanty foliage. The fragrance of 

 the flowers adds to their popularity. The demand for 

 mignonette has increased the importance of the crop com- 

 mercially, until now many florists are specializing in its 

 growth. 



423. Greenhouse culture for cut-flowers. Mignonette 

 will grow in almost any soil, but the large growers prefer 

 a medium light, turfy loam. Pasture sod is excellent, and 

 sod from a field which has been in grass for a considerable 

 time is also good. William Nicholson of Framingham, 

 Massachusetts, has been exceptionally successful in 

 growing mignonette, and from his cultural notes has been 

 compiled the following : 



