152 GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT. 



carefully done. A night temperature of 45 degrees is 

 generally considered a maximum for the mignonette and 

 40 degrees is preferred by many ; during the day the 

 ventilation should be such as will keep the temperature 

 as near 58 degrees as possible. In caring for this crop, 

 the well-known grower, Mr. J. N". May, of Summit, 

 N. J., uses fine brush stuck into the soil around the 

 plants to support the spikes, and this seems as good as 

 any other way of trellising, although a desirable method 

 is shown in Fig. 57. 



Where the caterpillars are troublesome, the method 

 used by Mr. May to keep out the moths will be desira- 

 ble ; it consists in covering all openings with mosquito 

 netting. The use of hellebore, slug shot, or of Paris 

 green, either in water or plaster, in a very dilute form, 

 will also be a sure remedy. The most destructive dis- 

 ease of this crop is described and figured in Chapter 



xxv: 



The seed ordinarily sold is very uneven and much 

 of it will give worthless plants. It is always desirable, 

 after securing a good strain of mignonette, to select seed 

 for future use from the plants that are nearest to per- 

 fection. In this way the type will be fixed and an 

 improved strain for forcing will be secured. The variety 

 known as Machet (Fig. 57) is one of the best for forcing; 

 it has a strong stem, dark green, healthy foliage, and 

 the spike is large and fragrant. Miles Spiral is preferred 

 by some. 



Some growers have had good success with pot cul- 

 ture. The seeds are sown in flats or beds, and the seed- 

 lings pricked out into two-inch pots. When large 

 enough to repot, they are transferred to four-inch pots, 

 using very rich soil. They, of course, will need to be 

 staked and tied and should receive the same care as 

 when grown in beds. 



