ON THE CULTIVATION OF MIGNONETTE IN TOTS. 201 
The beginning of February is early enough to make the fhst 
sowing for a spring supply. The soil which should be used 
should consist of one halt loam, one fourth part dung, and one 
fourth part leaf*mould, well mixed togethei, and used in as 
rough a state as possible: the worms (if any should be in the 
soil) ought to be carefully picked out, or they will cause great 
injury to the plants, by stopping the drainage and disturbing 
the roots. The pots known as “forty-eights” will be large 
enough for this sowing 5 and these should be piepaied by 
placing a crock over the hole in the bottom, and laying on 
this about 2 inches of the roughest of the soil, after which 
they should be filled with soil, pressed evenly and firmly, 
leaving the surface level within half an inch of the rim. On this 
the seed should be sown regularly, and, if its quality can be 
depended on, two dozen seeds will be enough for each pot; 
they will come up stronger than if sown thicker. Sift a little 
soil over the seeds, and give this a gentle pressure with the 
back of the hand, leaving the surface smooth and even, but not 
tt glazed;” then give a gentle watering with tepid water, which 
will warm the soil and assist germination. Plunge the pots 
in a frame with a gentle bottom heat, and keep the lights 
shut till the plants begin to appear; afterwards admit a 
little air every day, if the state of the atmosphere will allow; 
but at all times avoid the admission of currents of cold air, as 
I am convinced that mignonette suffers severely from too rash 
an exposure to cold winds. When the plants become a little 
inured to exposure, remove the lights every fine day, which 
will prevent them from being drawn, and better enable them 
subsequently to support themselves. As soon as the seed- 
leaves are fully developed, thin out the plants, leaving at 
this time ten or twelve in each pot; this number should 
be retained, as they are liable to damp off if over-watered, 
and especially if the weather should happen to be dull. When 
they have made three or four leaves, thin them out to five 
plants, which number is sufficient for a 48-sized pot; at the same 
time stir the surface of the soil, which often becomes caked by 
continual watering, and thereby prevents the access of air to the 
roots. When the sun begins to act powerfully upon them, a 
thin shading for a few hours during the heat of the day will be 
of great service, by obstructing its rays, which give to the 
