MIGNONETTE. 



2 0<) 



ball of soil with fresh compost. Support with a light straight stake and top each plant 

 when about 6 inches high. Of the six or more shoots resulting from this topping, 

 select the one best placed for continuing the lead, drawing the rest down to an 

 horizontal position, and supporting them by small stakes till they extend far enough to 

 reach the trellis upon which they are to be trained. Not till they have reached this 

 limit should these lateral growths be topped, unless, owing to a check given at the roots 

 they flower prematurely, in which case the point must be pinched out and a fresh back 

 break laid in. Keep all side shoots removed from the stem till the trellis is reached, 

 when the training to and covering of this will be a comparatively easy matter. It will 

 be found that ultimate success largely depends upon laying a good foundation. In 

 the meantime the central growth will have been topped and more horizontal shoots laid 

 in. Continue these proceedings till a height of 18 inches to 2 feet has been reached. 

 A second shift, this time into 8-inch pots, should be given before the plants become 

 seriously root-bound, and the final shift, not later than the third week in August, may 

 be into 10 -inch pots. 



After the final shift a stronger central stake painted green should be provided, and the 

 trellis attached. A wire hoop 14 inches or rather more in diameter may be secured to 

 cross stakes resting on the rims of the pots and properly fastened ; by passing wires from 

 this through a hole burnt in the top of the central stake, and down to the hoop on the 

 other side, a simple and suitable trellis is formed. Train the shoots resulting from the ends 

 of the horizontal growths thinly and evenly over the trellis, topping them only when 

 flower buds show. The breaks from these trained shoots ought to be lightly tied to the 

 trellis, and they will duly elongate and flower, say in November. These trained plants 

 will continue to produce flowers till mignonette can be had in the garden, when they 

 should be gradually hardened and arranged in the open air. Thin out the growths and 

 keep all flowers closely pinched off the shoots till the following autumn, or near the 

 time for housing them again. Those plants already in comparatively large pots should, 

 early in the summer, have about one inch of the surface soil removed, and then receive 

 a rich top-dressing containing a sprinkling of ground bones. Any that did not make 

 sufficient progress the first season may be given a shift into 10-inch pots early in the 

 summer. All ought to be shaded from strong sunshine, and syringing the plants on hot 

 dry days acts beneficially. 



The market growers' plan of cultivating mignonette, and which private gardeners 

 and amateurs will do well to adopt, has yet to be described. In this instance several 



"VOL. II. E E 



