AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



289 



Celosia continued. 



large heads are required, another shift may be given before 

 they are too large, and 7in. pots should be used for this 

 final potting. When these are filled with roots, liquid 

 manure may be given about twice weekly. Moderately 

 firm potting is necessary. The best soil to grow Celosias 

 in is half-rich sandy loam, and half-rotten cow and stable 

 manure mixed, with a good dash of silver sand. There are 

 several excellent sorts, among which may be named Tom 

 Thumb and Button's Prize Dwarf. 



The other species differ from G. cristata in having large 

 plumes of inflorescence, which form pyramidal masses of 

 colour. Many sorts have a graceful pendent habit, which 

 renders them objects of great beauty, when well grown. 

 This is easily accomplished if treated in the same way 

 as recommended for the Cockscombs. Frequent syring- 

 ings are needed to keep down thrips and red spider. 



Celosia continued. 

 C. cristata (crested).* Common Cockscomb, fl. dark red ; spike 



oblong, compressed ; common peduncle striated. I. ovate, acumi- 

 nate ; stipules falcate. Asia, 1570. See Fig. 393. 



C. o. cocclnea (scarlet) differs from the common Cockscomb in 

 the crowded pyramidal arrangement of the inflorescence, narrower 

 leaves, and short stamens. It will grow well in a lower tempera- 

 ture than required for the type. (B. R. 1834.) 



C. O. comosa (hairy), fl. scarlet or purplish ; spikes arranged in 

 a pyramidal drooping panicle. 1. stalked, ovate, h. 1ft, to 2ft 

 India, Ac., 1810. SVN. C. cernua. (A. B. R. 10, 635.) 



FIG. 392. CEI.OSIA ARGENTEA, showing Entire Plant and Detached 

 Inflorescence. 



C. argentea (silvery).* /. white ; inflorescence dense, spicate. 



I. narrow, very shortly stalked or sessile. Tropical Asia. See 



Fig. 392. 

 C. a. llnearls (linear) only differs from the typical C. argentea in 



its narrower linear leaves. India, &c. 

 C. cernua (drooping). A synonym of C. cristata comosa. 



FIG 394. CELOSIA CRISTATA YARIEOATA. 



C. O. variegata (variegated) differs from C. cristata (the wild 

 type, from which the Garden Cockscomb has been developed) only 

 in its variegated leaves. See Fig. 394. 



FIG. 393. FLOWER OF CELOSIA CRISTATA. 



FIG. 395. CKLOSIA HUTTONII. 



C. Huttonli (Button's).* fl. red, in ovate spikes. I. 

 claret-coloured, h. 1ft. to 2ft. Java, 1871. A very flne-foliaged 

 stove plant, of bushy, pyramidal habit. See Fig. 395. 



C. pyramidalis (pyramidal).* fl., colours various ; and instead of 



2 P 



