298 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



leaf, three strong plants are selected and the others re- 

 moved. Seed for next season's crop is taken from the 

 plants started in September. The plants which produce 

 good foliage and compact flower-spikes, with large, in- 

 dividual flowers, are selected as the seed-bearing parents. 



427. Ventilation. Great care should be taken that 

 the .seedlings started in July get sufficient air. The 

 ventilators should be kept open day and night, to keep 

 the plants stocky and short-jointed. During bright 

 weather, temporary shading is necessary in the middle of 

 the day, until the seedlings get their second leaf, then 

 full sunlight should be given. 



428. Removal of side shoots. After the flower spikes 

 begin to appear, all side shoots should be removed from 

 around the top of the stem. Three or four strong bottom 

 side shoots are left for a second crop. In this way, a 

 succession of blooms may be obtained throughout the 

 winter. 



429. Supports for mignonette. As soon as the plants 

 are well developed, a wire ring is placed about each 

 plant. Later wires with cross strings are used for sup- 

 ports, the same as are used for carnations. 



430. Watering. Mignonette is injured by over- 

 watering, and great care should be taken that the soil 

 be not too wet, especially when the plants are just started. 

 As they develop, watering should be done only on bright 

 mornings, for if water remains long on the foliage, the 

 leaves become spotted. 



431. Temperature. A night temperature from 45 to 

 48 best suits mignonette. On cloudy days the tempera- 

 ture should be kept at 55, and on bright days it should 

 never be allowed to go above 65. 



432. Feeding. When the plants have developed 



