Microlepia 



(74) 



Mignonette 



MICROLEPIA (see DAVALLIA). 



MICROLICIA. 



A large genus (ord. Melastomaceas), but horti- 

 cnlturally a worthless one. Most of the species are 

 erect stove shrubs. 



MICROLOMA. 



Stove evergreen twining shrubs (ord. Asclepi- 

 adese) from the Cape. The flowers are bright-hoed, 

 but small, and the plants are rarely grown. Small 

 side shoots may be rooted in sand, in bottom heat, 

 in April. Soil, loam and leaf mould in equal parts, 

 with one-fifth sand. 



Principal Species : 

 lineare, Jy., st., blood red. sagittatum, st., Jy., sc. 



MICROMERIA (syns. PIPBEELLA, SAB- 

 BATIA, and TBNDANA). 



Hardy or half-hardy shrubs or herbs (ord. Labi- 

 atse). There are many species, but only a few are 

 of any value. Those named are all pretty, hardy, 

 rockery plants. Propagation is by cuttings, and 

 the soil should be fairly light and rich. 



Principal Species : 



croatica, sum., ro., vio. Piperella, 3", Aug., Oct., 

 graeca, je., sub-shr., pk., sub-shr., pk. This 



fragrant. species is not quite hdy. , 



Juliana, shr., pale red, and needs a little pro- 



yery small. tection in cold districts 



in winter. 



MICROMYRTUS. 



Greenhouse shrubs (ord. Myrtaceas), all from 

 Australia. Very few of the species have been 

 introduced ; probably microphylla is the only one, 

 and even it is rare. Propagation, by ripe or partly 

 ripe shoots, in a close frame. Soil, sandy loam 

 two parts, leaf mould one part. 



Principal Species : 



microphylla, wh., small ; a much branched shr. 



MICROPHCENIX. 



Two hybrids only have so far been described 

 -and placed in this genus (ord. Palmse), and they 

 may be given the same treatment as Phoenix, to 

 which the genus is closely related. 



Hybrids : 



decipiens. According to was raised by a grower 

 Carriere this name was at Hyeres. 



given by Naudin to the Sahuti (M. decipiens X 

 result of a cross be- Trachycarpus excelsa), 



tween Phosnix dactyli- foliage of decipiens, and 



f era and C'hamserops vio. petioles of T. excel - 

 humilis. This hybrid fa). 



MICROSERIS (st/ns. BELLABDIA, CALAIS, 

 LEPIDONEMA, and UROPAPPUS). 



Greenhouse or hard}', annual or perennial herbs 

 (ord. Composite), of no garden value, with the 

 possible exception of Lindleyi. This hardy, yellow 

 annual has been introduced, but is probably now 

 lost to cultivation. 



MICROSTYLJS (sym. ACHROANTHES, 



CBEPIDIUM, and PEDILEA). 

 Stove terrestrial Orchids (ord. Orchidaceas), 

 .allied to Malaxis. The culture closely approaches 



Micromeles (see Pyrui). 

 Mit.ropera (see Sarcochilus). 

 Micropetalon (see Stellaria). 

 JUicropiper (see Peperomia). 

 Microsperma (see Mentzelia). 

 Microitepldum (see Cryptostemma). 



to that given to the deciduous Calanthes, viz. plenty 

 of water, and a decided rest in winter. Fibrous 

 peat and live sphagnum form a good compost. 

 Drainage must be liberal. 



Principal Species : 



calophylla, 9", sum., yel., macrochila, 15", sum., 



greenish br. yel., lip reddish pur., 



congesta, 12", sum., gru., relatively large. 



yel, Fusca (\y. tri- metallica, 9", sum., ro. 



lobulata) is a pur. pur., yel., Ivs. gru. 



var. above, ro. beneath, 



discolor, 9", sum., yel., purpurea, 9", sum., yel., 



or., Ivs. reddish pur., pur., Ivs. dark crim. 



margined grn. A upper surface, reddish 



singularly beautiful grey lower, 



species. Scottii, 6", sum., yel. 



josephiaua, 12", spr.,yel. , Walh'chii, 9", sum., grn., 



relatively large. yel., or pur., Ivs. gru., 



Lo wii, pur. , Ivs. dark sometimes shaded pur. 



metallic br., striped wh. 



Other Species : - 



chlorophrys, pur. ventilabrum, yel. 



histionautha, brownish versicolor, 1', Je. , Oct., 



grn. flowers various, 



plantaginea, pur. (si/n. 



bella). 



MIGNONETTE. (RESEDA ODOEATA.) 



Description. The Mignonette (ord. Resedacea;) 

 is such a favourite where sweet-smelling flowers 

 are appreciated, that it would be a waste of space 

 to describe its characteristics. Every garden 

 should possess it, treated as an annual in the 

 borders or beds, and grown in pots under glass. 

 Trained as " Tree Mignonette " it is decorative, and 

 is much appreciated by some. 



Propagation. By seeds, sown as directed for 

 the several uses. 



Soil. A good loamy soil is preferred by Mignon- 

 ette outdoors, and in light and poor soils manuring 

 with well-decayed cow manure is necessary to 

 obtain good results. In poor or very dry soils the 

 seeds often fail to germinate well. 



Mignonette in Borders. Sowings should be made 

 where the plants are to bloom, at intervals from 

 the end of April to early in July, so as to have a 

 succession of flowers. Thinning out 'ought to be 

 early attended to. Water frequently in dry 

 weather. 



In Pots. For early bloom sow thinly in March 

 and onwards in good, loamy soil, thinning out the 

 plants well. For autumn and winter bloom to 

 succeed outdoor flowers, sow at the end of August 

 and in September in a cold frame, having three 

 or four plants in a 5" pot, afterwards removing the 

 pots to a light, airy greenhouse, near the glass, with 

 a temperature of 50 to 55". Ventilation must be 

 given on every possible occasion, or the plants will 

 be very weak. 



In Tree Form. Sow the seeds very thinly in 3" 

 pots in soil composed of one part of decayed cow 

 dung and two parts of good mellow loam, to which 

 has been added some sand and finely sifted mortar 

 rubbish. Grow as directed for pot cultivation, but 

 eventually leave only the strongest plant in each 

 pot, supporting it by a stick to keep it straight. 

 As growth proceeds, pinch off the side shoots at 

 the second joint. Some of these side shoots may be 

 gradually removed as the plant gains vigour. 

 When the small pots are filled with roots give a 



Midnapore Creeper (see Rii-ea hypocrateriformis}. 

 /ia (see Arundinaria). 



