182 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



MIGNIONETTE. 



(RESEDA ODOR ATA.) 



u No gorgeous flowers the meek Reseda grace, 

 Yet seek with eager trunk yon busy race, 

 Her simple cup, nor heed the dazzling gem 

 That beams in Fritillaria's diadem." 



This sweet and generous scented annual was imported 

 into Europe one hundred years ago from Africa. The 

 leaves are entire, three-lobed ; the involucre shorter than 

 the flowerets, growing from twelve to eighteen inches. 

 The flowerets are dingy white, of a delightful fragrance, 

 particularly grateful in a room. 



This favorite is known to the Dutch florists as the Egyp- 

 tian Bastard Rocket 5 with us and the French, as Mig- 

 nionelte. Morning and evening the fragrance of this plant 

 is more sensible than at other times. This desirable per- 

 fection, in so humble a plant in appearance, has made it a 

 favorite j three plants are sufficient to fill a room with 

 fragrance, and make it agreeable to the sense of smelling ; 

 it is thus in every way desirable as a parlor plant. Being 

 of easy culture, it can be brought to flower at any season 

 in the year. 



The soil should not be rich, as it will destroy in some 

 measure the sweet effects of its odoriferous perfection ; 

 therefore, a sandy loam is the best. It will be necessary 

 to sow seed the last of July, or beginning of August, to 

 have it flowering from November to February. The seeds 



