MIGNONETTE. 
127 
The florists’ Ranunculuses — divided into such 
groups as the Scotch, Dutch, French, Italian, Persian, 
and Turkish or Turban — are all forms of 11. asiaticus. 
They are remarkable for their large and beautiful 
flowers of scarlet, white, yellow, orange, and inter- 
mediate shades. The best time to plant the roots of 
these kinds is from the middle to the end of February 
m well-drained sandy loam and leaf soil, about 6 inches 
apart, either in rows or in patches. They should be 
covered with about two inches of soil and gently beaten 
down with the spade. As growth advances the soil 
should be kept free from weeds, and stirred up occa- 
sionally with a small hoe or rake. In addition a little 
weak manure water two or three times a week will 
assist in the better development of the blosssom. 
After the plants have finished blooming, and the leaves 
have withered, the clawed roots may be taken up, 
cleaned, dried, and stored in sand for the winter 
months in a dry airy place free from frost. When 
replanting, any offsets from the old roots may be 
detached and sown in a bed of sandy soil by themselves. 
Seeds proper may be sown in shallow boxes or pans 
in gentle heat in February or March, or in August and 
September. The young plants are best grown on under 
glass for the first season, being harvested and stored 
like the old plants, after the leaves have withered. 
RESEDA odorata (Mignonette ). — This universal 
favourite, is highly valued for the sweet fragrance 
of its finely-divided yellowisli-white flowers. There 
are numerous varieties, such as Machet, Spiral, Golden 
Queen, Bismarck, &c., all worth growing either in pots 
or in the open border. For the latter, seeds should be 
