to handle put two or three plants in a 5-in. pot, and replace them in
warmth. Keep them rather close till established, then shift them into
7-in. pots. When established remove them to a cold frame and harden
off. Plant out at the end of May in a warm situation. Keep them well
supplied with water in dry weather and syringe the leaves. By stopping
the shoots they become nice, bushy shrubs. Flower in July. Height,
1-1/2 ft.
Cardamine Pratensis (Cuckoo Flower, or Milkmaid).--This hardy
perennial thrives in a moist, shady situation. It produces its purple
flowers from May to August, and is easily propagated by seeds or
division. Height, 1-1/2 ft.
Cardamine Trifolia.--A hardy herbaceous plant; will grow in any soil,
flowers in May, and is easily raised from seed. Height, 1-1/2 ft.
Cardoons.--Sow two or three seeds together in clumps 1 ft. apart, in
trenches prepared as for Celery, in April or May. When 6 in. high pull
up the superfluous plants, leaving the strongest one in each case.
When they have attained the height of 1-1/2 ft, tie the leaves lightly
to a stake and earth-up the stem. Keep them well supplied with water,
adding a little guano. They will be ready for use in September.
Another sowing may be made in June for a spring crop.
Carduus (Milk Thistle).--Coarse hardy annuals; somewhat ornamental,
but are hardly more than weeds. They grow freely from seed, and flower
from June to August. Height, 2 ft. to 4 ft.
Carex Japonica.--This is a graceful and very beautiful variegated
grass, striped green, silver, and gold, and makes a fine decoration
for the table. It will grow in any moderately moist soil, and bears
dividing. Sow in spring.
Carlina.--Ornamental, thistle-like, hardy perennials, which will grow
in any ordinary soil. Flowers are borne from June to September. Seed
may be sown as soon as it is ripe. Height, 9 in. to 2 ft.
Carnations.--These are divided into three classes, but they are all
said originally to come from the clove: (1) Flakes, which are striped
with one colour and white; (2) Bizarres, those streaked with two
colours and white; (3) Picotees, which have each petal margined with
colour on a white or yellow ground, or dotted with small spots. For
pot culture, about the end of March put two roots in an 11-in. pot,
filled with light, turfy loam, well drained (too much moisture being
injurious), pressing the earth firmly round the roots. Stand them on
a bed of ashes in a sheltered position, and when the flower-stems
appear, stake and tie up carefully. As the buds swell thin out the
weakly ones. To prevent them bursting unevenly put an india-rubber
ring round the bud, or tie it with raffia. They will flourish in
the open borders even in towns if planted in light loam, and may be
propagated by layers at the end of July or beginning of August.
Choose for this purpose fine outside shoots, not those which have
borne flowers. Cut off all the lower leaves, leaving half a dozen near