MIGNONETTE 



Reseda odorata is a plentiful weed in northern Africa and par- 

 ticularly Egypt, whence it came into Italy and from that centre 

 was distributed over Europe. In 1742 it was introduced into 

 England from France where it had become a great favorite and 

 had received the common name which it now bears — ^Mignonette, 

 "Little Darling." 



With us the plant is an annual, but in the sub-tropical countries 

 where it is at home it becomes a perennial. 



The gardener's ideal of Mignonette has been a plant with as 

 large a spike as possible. The color and form of the flower and 

 the habit of the plant has been secondary to size and abundance 

 of spikes, consequently the blossom itself has varied httle from 

 that of the wild plant; only the anthers, in size and color, have 

 shown change. 



Enlarging the spikes has not always improved the odor; in 

 some cases this has been transformed into something unpleasant, 

 in others totally destroyed, in others strengthened. 



Take it all in all, the old garden form, with its Hght, sweet, 

 pleasant fragrance, holds its own fairly among the fifty improved 

 varieties offered by the trade. 



Mignonette is a late bloomer; may be foimd along the garden 

 walk long after the tender plants are destroyed. In order to have 

 satisfactory late blooming, sow the seeds the last of July. 



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