Buxus (_Tree Box_).--A useful evergreen shrub which may be grown in
any soil or situation. The B. Japonica Aurea is one of the best golden
plants known for edgings to a walk. The closer it is clipped the
brighter it becomes. Increased by suckers or layers.
C
Cabbage.--Sow from February to April for an autumn supply, and in July
and August for spring cutting. As soon as the plants have made four or
five leaves, transplant into soil that has been liberally manured and
trenched, or dug deeply, placing them 18 in. or 2 ft. apart, according
to the kind grown. Keep the soil well broken up, and give a liberal
supply of liquid manure while they are in a growing state. An open
and sunny situation is necessary. Among the best varieties for
spring sowing are Heartwell, Early Marrow, Little Pixie, Nonpareil,
Sugarloaf, and Early Dwarf York. For autumn sowing, Ellam's Dwarf
Early Spring, Defiance, and Enfield Market may be recommended.
Coleworts may be sown in June, July, and August for succession,
placing them about a foot apart, and cutting before they heart.
Chou de Burghley is of great value for spring sowing, and will be
found very useful during autumn and early in winter. This vegetable
is sometimes called Cabbage Broccoli, on account of the miniature
Broccoli which are formed among its inner leaves towards autumn.
Couve Tronchuda, known also as Braganza Marrow and Portugal Cabbage,
should be sown in March, April, and May for succession.
Savoy Cabbage is sown in March or April, and given the same treatment
as other Cabbage. Its flavour is much improved if the plants are
mellowed by frost before being cut for use.
Red Dutch is used almost solely for pickling. Its cultivation is
precisely the same as the white varieties.
Cacalia.--Hardy annuals, remarkable for their awkward-looking stems
and discoloured leaves. They grow best in a mixture of sandy loam,
brick rubbish, and decomposed dung, well reduced. They require very
little water while growing, and the pots must be well drained.
Cuttings, laid by for a few days to dry, strike readily. Flower in
June. Height, 1-1/2 ft.
Cactus.--A sandy loam with brick rubbish and a little peat or rotten
manure suits them. Echinopsis is a good plant for cool houses or
windows. During the summer it should be syringed over-head with tepid
water, and weak soot water should be given three times a week. It is
propagated by off-sets planted in sand, also by slicing off a portion
from the top of the plant and placing it in light, rich, porous loam.
Caladiums.--Favourite hothouse foliage plants, generally grown in peat
soil at a temperature of 70 degrees. They require plenty of light
while growing, and to be kept moderately moist at the roots. As the
leaves lose colour less water should be given, and during winter they
must be kept almost dry. When fresh growth begins, shake them out of
their pots and put them into fresh mould. In syringing the plants use
nothing but the purest rainwater, but the less the leaves are wetted
the better for the appearance of the plants. They may be increased by
dividing the root stock into as many pieces as there are crowns. These
should be planted in very rich, sandy soil, an inch or so below the
surface.
Calamintha Grandiflora.--This hardy herbaceous plant has
sweetly-fragrant foliage, and bears rose-coloured flowers from May
to September. Any loamy soil suits it, and it is easily increased by
suckers. Height, 1 ft.
Calampelis.--A species of half-hardy climbing plants of great merit.
They are elegant when in flower, and will endure the open air. They
should be trained to a south wall, or over a vase, or up a pillar.
Any light loamy soil suits them, and they are easily increased by
cuttings. Flower in July. Height, 10 ft. (_See also_ "Eccremocarpus.")
Calandrinia.--Very pretty hardy annuals. They grow well in sunny
places in a mixture of loam and peat, and may be raised from seed sown
in the spring or by cuttings placed under hand-glasses. Bloom in July.
Height, 6 in. to 1 ft.
Calceolaria.--Many of the varieties are suitable for the greenhouse
only. They may be grown from seed, but as this is so small it should
not be covered; and in watering them it is best to stand the seed-pans
in water so that the moisture ascends, as watering from the top might
wash the seed too deeply into the soil. July and August are the two
best months for sowing. The half-shrubby kinds make fine bedding
plants. They are easily reared from cuttings. These are best taken
in October. Put them in light, sandy mould on a well-drained north
border; press the earth round them, and cover with a hand-glass. In
very frosty weather a mat should be laid over the glass. Pot them off
in spring; give plenty of air, and plant them out at the beginning of
June, or before, if weather permits.
Calendula (_Marigolds_).--Very showy hardy annuals. They merely
require sowing in the open in autumn for an early display of bloom,
or in spring for a later show, but the autumn sowing gives the more
satisfaction. Flower during June and July. Height, 1 ft.
Californian Plants.--Great care should be taken not to allow the sun
to strike on the collar of any of the plants from California, as they
readily succumb if it does so.
Calla.--These showy plants, sometimes called Arum, are worth
cultivating. They make handsome pot-plants, bearing fine white flowers
in the spring. May be grown from seeds, or roots may be divided.
They are quickly increased by off-sets from the root in August or
September. Plant the off-sets from the fleshy roots singly in small,
well-drained pots of sandy loam with one-fourth leaf-mould or
well-rotted manure, and keep them in a very warm situation. Water them
well while in growth, scantily after the leaves begin to wither, and
afterwards give only enough moisture to keep them alive. Leave the
plants in the light while the leaves die off, and then place them in a
shed, in complete repose, for a month or so. Re-pot them in October
or November, and give plenty of water. They may stand in saucers of
water, but this must be changed daily. They flower from May to July.
Height, 2 ft.
Callichroa.--A hardy annual which well deserves a place in the garden
border, both on account of its dwarf and slender habit and also the
colour of its flowers. It is satisfied with any ordinary soil. The
seed is raised on a hotbed in March, or in the open in April, and it
blooms in the autumn. Height, 1 ft.