Chervil.--For summer use sow in March, and for winter requirements in
July and August, in shallow drills 6 or 8 in. apart. Cut for use when
3 or 4 in. high. The tender tops and leaves are used in soups and
stews, to which they impart a warm, aromatic flavour. They likewise
give piquancy to mixed salads.
Chestnuts.--To raise trees from seed sow the nuts in November, about
2 in. deep. When two years old they may be transplanted to their
permanent site. The only pruning they require is to cut away any
branches which would prevent the tree forming a well-balanced head.
Chicory.--Sow in May or June in drills of rich soil, and thin out to
6 in. apart. In autumn lift the roots and store them in dry sand. To
force leaves for salads, plant the roots closely together in boxes or
large pots, with the tops only exposed, using ordinary soil; place
in a temperature of 55 degrees, and keep in the dark. Long blanched
leaves will soon appear, ready for use.
Chilli.--Same treatment as Capsicum.
Chimonanthus Fragrans (_Japan Allspice_).--This delightfully fragrant
hardy shrub, known as the Winter Flower, produces its blooms in
January before the leaves appear. Should sharp frost set in,
protection ought to be given to the flowers. The plant requires a
fairly good soil, and is most at home when trained against a wall. It
is generally propagated by means of layers. Height, 6 ft.
Chinese Sacred Narcissus (_Oriental Lily, Joss Flower, or Flower of
the Gods, the Chinese emblem of good luck_).--This is a very beautiful
variety of the Polyanthus Narcissus, and is grown to bloom at the
advent of the Chinese New Year. It is very fragrant and free blooming,
and is generally flowered in an ornamental bowl of water, the bulb
being surrounded with pretty pebbles to keep it well balanced. It may
also be grown in a pot of mould, kept in a dark place for about ten
days, then placed in a sunny position and supplied with water. It
flowers from six to eight weeks after planting.
Chionanthus Virginica (_Fringe Tree_).--A curious shrub which is best
raised from seed. It succeeds in any soil, and bears white flowers in
July. It will grow to the height of 20 ft. or more.
Chionodoxa Luciliae (_Glory of the Snow_).--A pretty hardy
spring-flowering bulbous plant. The blossoms, from five to six in
number, are produced on gracefully arched stems, 4 to 8 in. high, and
are nearly 1 in. across, star-like in form, and of a lovely blue tint
on the margin, gradually merging into pure white in the centre. Fine
for growing in clumps. Plant the bulbs in autumn in equal parts of
loam, peat, and sand. It succeeds fairly well in the open, but reaches
perfection in a cold frame, where the flowers will be produced in
March. Height, 6 in.
Choisya Ternata (_Mexican Orange_).--A pretty evergreen wall plant,
bearing sweet-scented white flowers in July. The bush is round, and
extremely ornamental when grown in the shrubbery. It delights in a
mixture of peat and loam, and is propagated by cuttings placed in sand
under a handglass, or, better still, by layers of the lower branches
in March, detaching them in the autumn. While young it makes a fine
pot-plant. Height, 6 ft.
Chorozemas.--These Australian plants delight in rich turfy peat mixed
with fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and coarse sand. When freshly potted
they should be given a warm part of the greenhouse and watered
cautiously till they are in full growth, when a little clear liquid
manure may be given twice a week. May be shifted at any time except
from October to Christmas. Propagated by cuttings about 1 or 2 in.
long of half-ripened young wood taken in July or August, and inserted
in sand under a glass. When the pots are full of roots shift the
plants into larger sizes. They bloom nearly all the year round,
especially in the winter and spring. The plants have rather a rambling
habit, and are usually trained over balloon or pyramidal trellises;
but this trouble can be spared by cutting them back freely and
employing a few light sticks to keep them within bounds.