208 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



side shoots at the first joint, and do not remove these stem swellers till the winter. 

 Whether the plants shall be grown to a height of 18 inches or 2 feet, must be left to the 

 discretion of the grower ; but before anything approaching a head can be formed by- 

 topping first the leader and then the growths that are to form the head, a shift into 

 8-inch pots must be given. It only remains to be added that an informal head can be 

 had by frequent topping and merely securing the branches to a tall central stake with 

 strips of raffia. If formal heads are desired, then must a wire hoop be fastened to 

 cross stakes, and the branches drawn down and out to this, the upright growths result- 

 ing from these being trained in their turn to wires and threads connected with the high 

 central stake and the hoops. "Whether mignonette pays for all this trouble is a moot 

 point, especially that it frequently takes two years to form a perfect head ; still, when 

 good " trees " are produced they are always admired. 



Pyramidal -shaped plants can be grown more quickly. These again may be of 

 formal or informal outline. What may be termed freely grown pyramids are the most 

 generally serviceable and not difficult to produce. Sow seeds as advised for producing 

 standards and at the same date. Select three well-placed plants and support them 

 with a single central stake. If duly shifted into larger- sized pots, as required, the 

 plants will grow strongly and branch naturally. Pinch out the points of the leaders 

 as soon as they show flower-buds, and train the growth resulting immediately below to 

 continue the lead. The side growths must also be topped as often as they show buds, 

 and these will then branch freely. When the leading growths are from 12 to 15 

 inches high, top the two weaker and lay in no more upright shoots from these, the third 

 stronger leader being sufficient to form a good centre. No training will be found 

 necessary beyond lightly looping up the branches that require support to the central 

 stake. These natural pyramids may be flowered in 9 -inch or even larger pots. They 

 ought to afford abundance of flower spikes through the winter and spring months, after 

 which they should be thrown away. 



Formally trained pyramids are usually developed from a single plant, and these may 

 be kept in a presentable condition for several years, though they are at their best during 

 the first and second seasons. In this instance, again, the start must be made early, and 

 in the same manner as advised for standards. Select the plant most promising in appear- 

 ance in each pot and remove the rest. When about 3 inches high all ought to be 

 given their first shift, which may be into 5-inch pots, doing this important work care- 

 fully, breaking the roots of the plants as little as possible, and quite covering the old 



