MANURE MIGNONETTE 151 



wash water is thrown on the compost pile much fertility will 

 be added. Wood ashes from stoves, the chip dirt from the 

 woodshed in fact, almost any substance that will decay 

 will furnish plant-food, and should be added to the compost 

 pile. This pile should be turned often, to mix the material. 

 When practicable, it is best to apply Manure in the fall, 

 as it then has time to become incorporated with the soil be- 

 fore spring. Beds which are to be used for flowers next year 

 may be dressed with Manure in the fall and deeply spaded, 

 leaving the surface rough and loose. It is well to be care- 

 ful that the Manure does not contain weed seeds. 



Marigold. The Marigolds of the old-fashioned 

 gardens are still among the best of plants for fall color. 

 They are hardy annuals of the easiest culture, and are always 

 certain of giving strong and excellent results. They have 

 been much improved of late years. The old-fashioned 

 African Marigolds grow 2 to 3 feet high, and they are use- 

 ful for scattering in mixed borders or making large masses 

 or displays of color in the remoter parts of the place. The 

 French or dwarf Marigolds grow about 1 foot high and are 

 more tufty in their habit. They are better adapted for edg- 

 ings than for mass effects in the main parts of the grounds. 

 All Marigolds may be sown where the plants are to stand, 

 since the flowers are usually not wanted until late summer 

 or early fall, at which time they usually give their best 

 bloom. If they are wanted earlier, however, the seeds may 

 be started in the house or hotbed. Tall varieties may be 

 allowed to stand from 10 to 18 inches apart and the dwarfs 

 at somewhat less distances. 



Matthiola will be found under Stocks. 



Mignonette. Probably no flower is more gen- 

 erally grown for its fragrance than this. The Mignonette 

 needs a cool soil, only moderately rich, shade part of the 

 day, and careful attention to cutting the flower- stalks before 

 the seeds are ripe- If a sowing be made in late April, fol- 



