CHA.FTER XXII. 
The Mignonette. How to Form a Tree. Cineraria. Wall 
Flower. Stockqilly. 
The Mignonette, or Eeseda odorata, is very desirable for winter bloom because 
its perfume is so delicious. Linnaeus compares its odors to those of Ambrosia, 
and it is sweeter and more penetrating at the rising and setting of the sun than 
at noonday. 
Its floral language is, " Tour qualities surpass your charms," for its flowers are 
very insignificant when compared to the brilliant colorings of many others. 
For blooming in the house, the seeds should be sown in August, in the pots 
where they will bloom; and when started, pull up all but three or four good 
strong roots, keep in a shady place, and pinch oflf the top shoots to keep the 
plants from straggling; give liquid manure once a week, and by November you 
will have a pot full of branches; then let the buds form at their pleasure, and bo- 
fore December is out, the flowers will be in great profusion. 
For soil in the pots, use 3 parts loam, 1 part dung, and 1 part leaf mould. 
When water is applied, do so in the morning, so that the foliage may be dry 
before night. 
To have Mignonettes the year round, begin sowing as early as February, then 
again in April, in September and October. Thin out the plants as fast as they 
grow up, to but five in the pot ; shade from the sun, in the heat of the day, as 
otherwise the foliage might have a yellow and unsightly appearance. 
For training, five small stakes may be stuck into the pot at equal distances 
from each other, and tie the plant thereto. 
In thinning, keep the largest in one pot and the smallest in others so as to 
give a succession of bloom. If it is desired to cause any to bloom late, pinch off 
the tops of a few as soon as they begin to flower ; they will break out again and 
bloom three weeks or a month later than others of the same sowing. 
In boxes they are very pretty. It is best to grow them in pots first until just 
ready to bloom, and then transfer them to the box, where they can branch out 
and flower for a long time. 
The Mignonette is a native of Egypt and Barbary. In France and England it 
is much cultivated in boxes made to fit into windows and balconies. 
To Form a Tree. 
This is an interesting operation, and one particularly agreeable to window gar- 
deners, from the careful superintendence it requires, as well as the singularity, 
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