Page:The Amateur's Greenhouse and Conservatory.djvu/102

94 perhaps, a few of our readers will find that what we have to say upon it is somewhat new as well as useful, for humble as the plant is, we have given it some amount of special attention. In the books mignonette is described as an annual that should be sown where it is to remain, as it cannot with any safety be transplanted. These statements are correct if the cultivator will but allow them to be so, but it is in the power of art to make nonsense of them. When allowed to go on in its own way mignonette is strictly an annual which flowers, ripens seed, and perishes. But if we cut the flowers as fast as they are produced, and never allow a single seed pod to be formed, the plant will live any number of years, and continually increase in size if assisted with root room and liquid manure until it becomes a gigantic wonder. We have kept the same plants seven years, and then threw them away because of their unmanageable magnitude. To manage the mignonette as a round perennial bush, and have it in flower the whole year round is most easy. Sow two or three seeds each in 60-size pots in rich, light, loamy compost. From May to August is the best time for this business. When the plants are fairly up pull out the weakest, and leave only one plant in each pot. Keep them in the greenhouse only when the state of the weather compels, for they should make all their summer growth in the open air. As soon as they begin to show flower, and long before the flowers open, pinch out the top of the plant, and a week afterwards shift into 48-size. They will again show flower very soon, and the process of pinching and potting on must be repeated. This, with constant and careful watering, will ensure the formation of fine bushy plants in 32-size pots. If this occurs in winter keep them in a warm place near the glass, and allow the flowers to open, and the result will be a beautiful spectacle, and a diffusion of the most delicious fragrance. Watch the plants closely, and the instant that seed-pods are apparent, cut all the flower spikes away, and prune the whole plant tenderly, so as to keep it round and bushy, and again place near the glass, but do not disturb the roots, for they may stand twelve months in the 32-size pots. As soon as the new shoots appear and another bloom is promised, water with very weak liquid manure, and continue this to make amends for the exhaustion of the soil. When the bloom is again passing, pinch and prune. After they have been in the pots twelve or fifteen months turn them out