Cathcartia Villosa.--A beautiful Himalayan poppy, possessing a rich,
soft, hairy foliage and yellow flowers, borne in succession from
June to September. Any light, rich soil suits it, but it requires a
sheltered position. It is propagated by seeds sown in spring. Height,
11/2 ft.
Cauliflowers.--Sow thinly in pans or shallow boxes early in February
and March on a gentle bottom-heat. Make a larger and the main sowing
in the open ground in March, April, and May for autumn cutting. A
sowing should also be made in August for spring and summer use. These
latter should be pricked into a frame or under a hand-glass during the
winter, and in spring planted out so as to stand 30 in. apart. When
the heads appear break some of the large leaves down over them to
afford protection, and during the whole of their growth pour plenty of
water round the stems in dry weather. They require a thoroughly rich
and well-tilled soil to grow them to perfection.
Ceanothus.--A genus of handsome and ornamental evergreen shrubs.
They are free-flowering and suitable for the conservatory or outdoor
decoration if placed in warm situations. They flourish best in peat
and loam, and are increased by cuttings planted in sand and subjected
to gentle heat. Height, 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Cedronella.--Ornamental hardy perennials; will grow in any soil, but
require a little protection in the winter. They produce their deep
purple flowers in June. Height, 3 ft.
Cedrus Deodora.--A beautiful and graceful conifer, its arched branches
being thickly set with long grey-coloured or whitish-green leaves. In
its young stage it makes an exquisite specimen for the lawn. It is
the best of all the Cedars for such a purpose. The usual method of
propagating it is by grafting it on to the common Larch.
Celery.--Sow in February or early in March on a mild hotbed for the
earliest crop. Prick the seedlings off into shallow boxes as soon as
they are large enough to handle, and keep them rather close and warm
until they are established. Towards the end of March prick them out in
rows in a frame, setting them 6 in. apart each way, and early in
May transfer to rather shallow trenches, protecting them from night
frosts. For main and late crops sow in a cold frame in April and plant
out in June or July, 9 in. apart, in trenches 3 ft. distant from each
other, 9 in. wide, and 18 in. deep, pressing the soil firmly round the
roots. Earthing up should be delayed until the plants are nearly full
grown, and should be done gradually; but let the whole be completed
before the autumn is far advanced. When preparing the trench plenty of
manure should be dug into the soil. Water liberally until earthed up
to ensure crisp, solid hearts, and an occasional application of liquid
manure will benefit the plants. During winter protect from frost with
straw, or other suitable material.
Celosia (_Feathered Cockscomb_).--Sow the seed in early spring in
a warm frame; prick off singly into small pots, and re-pot as they
advance in strength in a compost of loam, leaf-mould, old manure,
and sand. Their final shift should be into 24-sized pots. Give them
abundance of liquid manure, never allowing them to become dry, and
syringe freely. These half-hardy annuals, rising to the height of 3
ft. and bearing fine spikes of flowers in July and August, make fine
pot-plants for table decoration. They may be planted in the open, in
June, choosing a warm, sheltered situation and rich, loamy soil.
Centaurea.--The hardy annual and biennial kinds merely require to be
sown in the open in the autumn. The half-hardy ones must be sown on
a slight hotbed, where they should remain till strong enough to be
planted in the border. Cuttings of the perennials should be inserted
singly in 3-in. pots filled with sandy loam, placed in a shady, cool
frame till established, and then watered very carefully. The different
varieties vary from 6 in. to 2 ft. in height, and flower from June to
August.
Centauridium Drummondi.--A blue hardy annual which may be sown in the
open in spring.
Centranthus.--Ornamental hardy annuals. Sow in the open border in
March in any good, well-drained soil. They flower in June. Height,
1-1/2 ft.
Cephalaria (_Yellow Scabious_).--Strong-growing hardy perennials,
suitable for backs of borders. They succeed in any garden soil, and
are propagated by seed or division of root. Height, 3 ft. to 5-1/2 ft.
Cephalotaxus (_Podocarpus Koraiana_).--Handsome conifers of the Yew
type. These shrubs are quite hardy, and in favoured localities will
produce berries. They succeed best in a damp, shady spot, and may be
increased by cuttings planted in heavy loam.
Cerastium Biebersteini.--A hardy trailing perennial which will grow in
any light soil, and may be increased by suckers. It flowers in June.
Height, 6 in.
Cerasus Padus (_Bird Cherry_).--An ornamental tree; useful in the
shrubbery in its earlier stages, as it will grow in any soil. It may
be increased by seed, budding, or grafting; flowers in April. Height,
35 ft.
Cerinthe.--Hardy annuals, suitable for any ordinary soil, and needing
merely ordinary treatment. A grand plant for bees. Height, 1 ft.
Cestrums.--Charming conservatory plants, flowering early in spring.
Cuttings may be taken in autumn, placed in small pots in a light
compost of peat and sand, and given a little bottom-heat. The young
plants may be topped to form bushy ones. Re-pot before the roots have
filled the small pots, using two parts loam, one part peat, and one
part sharp sand. C. Parqui is suitable for the open if planted in a
sheltered position.
Chamaepeuce.--Half-hardy perennial Thistle plants of little merit. Any
soil suits them, and they may be increased by seed or division. Flower
in June. Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft.
Chamaerops (_Chusan Palm_).--Fine greenhouse plants, delighting in a
rich, loamy soil. Height, 10 ft.