236 PLANT CULTURE 



from them, or in boxes or pans, and pricked out from these into 

 small pots, shifting if necessary, and planting out when the proper 

 time arrives. Mignonette seedlings, when they get beyond a cer- 

 tain size, are exceedingly difficult to prick off successfully; but when 

 taken as soon as they can be handled there is little danger of failure 

 if ordinary precautions are taken against damping off, suffering 

 from too much or too little water, or from the direct rays of the sun 

 until the seedhngs are established. Mignonette likes cool treat- 

 ment, so that attempts to coddle it by giving a high, close atmos- 

 phere will not produce flowers worth the cutting, if they ever reach 

 the flowering stage. The soil to grow it in should be well enriched 

 with cow manure, and well firmed before either sowing or planting. 

 About two quarts of soot to a barrel of water makes a good liquid 

 manure. For blooming out of doors sow thinly as soon as weather 

 permits. 



RICINUS (Castor Bean). R. communis grows, according to 

 variety, from 5 to 15 feet in height. R. c. zanzibarensis, a green- 

 leaved form, continues growing all Summer and does not even ripen 

 its seeds in this locality. R. Gibsonii has blood-red foliage. 



Propagation. The seeds should be sown beginning of April 

 in small pots, as they form a large mass of roots quickly after 

 germinating. 



SALPIGLOSSIS. Gorgeous colors and attractive flowers pro- 

 fusely borne commend 5. sinuata to the garden lover. It is a 

 glorified Petunia produced upright and with handsome veinings in 

 the petalage. 



Propagation. The seeds are minute and should be sown in 

 boxes of well-prepared loose soil early in Spring for bedding, or in 

 early Autumn for Winter blooming in greenhouse. 



SCABIOSA (Pincushion Flower). The annual Scabiosa, 

 S. atropurpnrea, is grown widely for its charming head of beautifully 

 colored flowers. It is useful for cutting because of its long stems 

 and splendid keeping qualities. 



Propagation. Sow the seed in the open ground in the Spring, 



SCHIZANTHUS (Butterfly Flower. Poor Man's Orchid). 



These dainty, Orchid-like flowers deserve wide culture. For the 

 private conservatory and partially shaded spot in the border they 

 are most excellent. For the florist the plants or c.it flowers are read- 

 ily salable. There is a wide range of color combinations all of which 

 are handsome. Two species are grown, 5. pinnatiis and 5. wise- 



