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Encyclopaedia of Gardening 235 



interest. It is best managed as a tender annual, being raised from 

 seed sown in a warm house or frame in spring. Loam, with a third 

 of peat and some sand, suits it. It bears rose flowers in summer, 

 but they are not particularly attractive (see the Botanical Register, 

 t. 941). It should be noted that the " mimosa " of the spring 

 markets does not belong to the genus Mimosa ; it is Acacia dealbata. 



Mimulus, Monkey Flower, Musk (mim-ulus, from mimo, an ape, 

 in reference to the wide mouth. Ord. Scrophularineae). The 

 spotted Mimulus, tigrinus, as we have already seen (see Annuals), is 

 much grown as a bedding plant, being raised from seed in winter, 

 planted out in summer, and discarded after blooming. It is a 

 cheerful, showy plant, and has the advantage of thriving in shady 

 places. Cardinalis is a good scarlet Mimulus, height 18 ins. (see the 

 Botanical Magazine, t. 3560); cupreus, orange, I ft., is good. 

 Glutinosus has buff flowers and sticky leaves (see the Bot. Mag., 

 t. 354, as aurantiacus). It needs greenhouse culture. The Musk 

 is Mimulus moschatus. This has much smaller flowers, but the 

 whole plant is agreeably scented. It can be raised from seed in 

 spring in a warm house or frame, the seedlings pricked off, potted 

 singly, and repotted as needed. A 5 -in. pot is large enough for 

 flowering, and with a small frame of slender laths the plant can be 

 well displayed. When in bloom it may be stood in a room window. 

 It may be further increased by pieces of root. Harrison's is a 

 larger-flowered variety. Although the spotted Mimuluses are 

 perennials they are commonly grown as annuals. M. glutinosus 

 should be grown as a perennial and propagated by cuttings. 



Mina lobata, Ipomaea versicolor. 

 Mint. See Kitchen Garden Herbs. 



Mirabilis, Marvel of Peru (mirab-ilis, from mirabilis, wonderful. 

 Ord. Nyctagineae) . M. Jalapa, the Marvel of Peru, is a showy plant 

 that was once a great flower-garden favourite. It is easily grown as 

 a half-hardy annual, being raised under glass in spring and planted 

 out in June; but it is a perennial. It is not particular as to soil. 

 As bought from seedsmen it gives several distinct colours, and the 

 flowers are fragrant (see the Botanical Magazine, t. 371). 



Mistletoe, Viscum album (Mistletoe comes from the Saxon word 

 miselta. Ord. Loranthaceae) . This very interesting parasite is a 

 native of British woods. It was used in Druidical celebrations 

 hundreds of years ago. It is supposed that birds have spread it 

 by feeding on the berries and scraping their bills on the bark of 

 trees. Those who wish to establish it may press the contents of a 

 ripe berry on the under side of a branch towards the end of winter. 

 In cool, moist places it takes readily to the Oak, Apple, Hawthorn, 

 Lime, and Poplar. It is very slow in spreading. 



Mistletoe Cactus. See Cactus (Rhipsalis). 



Mitchella (mitchell-a, after Dr. Mitchell. Ord. Rubiaceae). M. 

 repens is a hardy herbaceous creeper, with white flowers in early 

 summer and small red berries in winter. Sandy peat suits. The 

 running stems may be layered for propagation. 



