General Notices. 79 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



Art. I. General J\htices. 



On the Culture of Mignonette in Pots. — Reseda odorata, or the 

 Mignonette, is a native of Egypt. It is an annual, growing from eight 

 inches to a foot in height, and is quite hardy enough to stand this climate in 

 summer, but it will not live through our winter, unless in some sheltered sit- 

 uation. In order to obtain a succession, recourse must be had to pot cul- 

 ture, which will form tlie subject of my remarks. The beginning of Jan- 

 uary is early enough to make the first sowing for a spring supply ; the soil 

 wliich should be used, should consist of equal parts of loam, dung, and leaf- 

 mould, well mixed togetlier ; it would be well to mix a little sand witli the 

 compost when sifted. The pots should be from four to six inches wide for 

 this sowing, and these should be prepared by placing a crock over the hole 

 in the bottom, and laying on this about an inch and a half of the siftings ; 

 after that, fill them witli the soil to half an inch of the rim ; press it evenly 

 and firmly, and on this sow the seed regularly ; and if its quality can be de- 

 pended on, eighteen seeds will be enough for each pot, — tliey will come up 

 with more strength than if sown tliicker. Sift a little soil over the seeds, 

 and give it a gentle pressure with the hand, leaving the surface smooth and 

 even ; then give a watering (using the rose) with tepid water, which will 

 warm the soil and assist germination ; plunge the pots in a frame with a gen- 

 tle bottom heat ; give but little air until the plants begin to appear ; after- 

 wards give air more freely, according as the atmosphere will allow, avoid- 

 ing, at all times, the admission of cold air in great currents, as mignonette 

 suflTers very much from rash exposure to cold winds. When the plants be- 

 come a little hardened, take oflT the lights every fine day from eleven to one 

 o'clock, which will prevent them from being drawn, and better enable tliem 

 to support themselves. As soon as the seed-leaves are fully developed, thin 

 out the plants, leaving, at this time, twelve or thirteen in each pot. This 

 number should be kept for a while, as they are liable to damp off, if it should 

 happen to be wet and dull weather. When they have made four or five 

 leaves, thin tliem out to seven plants, which will be quite sufficient. At the 

 same time, stir tlie surface of the soil, which generally becomes hard by con- 

 tinual watering, and thereby prevents the access of air to the roots. When 

 the sun begins to act powerfully upon thenl, a thin shading for two or three 

 hours during the heat of the day will be of great service by obstructing its 

 rays, which give to the foliage a yellow and unsightly appearance. When 

 they have attained tlie height of tliree or four inches, they must be tied up, 

 to prevent them from falling over the sides of the pot ; in doing tliis, put six 

 small stakes, at equal distances, close by the edge of the pot ; then pass a 

 strip of matting with a turn round each of the stakes, and fasten it ; the 

 stakes thojld be left three inches at least higher that tlie plants, as they 

 will require a second tie. If the roots have now found their way through 

 the bottom of the pot, they must be broken off, or the plants will receive a 



