52 



HOUSE PLANTS 



— that would cause a check. For the same 

 reason never allow the plants to become pot- 

 bound. 



When the plants get about four inches 

 high, pinch out the centre of the middle 

 shoot. Two or three new shoots will come 

 out from the stem, and these, with the five 

 or six which have developed, will make a 

 well-shaped plant. Pinch out any other 

 shoots which may start. When the plants 

 get about six inches high, they will need 

 staking. For this, use small, round stakes 

 that will be inconspicuous — birch or willow 

 twigs are excellent for this — putting one 

 to each stem. 



When the plants get about ten inches high, 

 and before the flower heads show, pinch out 

 the tops of the stems so as to induce all 

 the shoots to flower at the same time. When 

 the flower buds commence to show, give the 

 plants weak manure water for about a week, 

 if the pots are well filled with roots. As 

 the buds develop, give it oftener — say 

 about twice a week. If you have grown the 

 mignonette carefully without a check, there 

 is no reason why you should not have nice 

 plants, bearing anywhere from a dozen to 



