348 



THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



Cockchafers continued. 



2cwt. of nitrate and 30 bushels of soot per acre, materially 

 reduces the grubs numerically, particularly if the ground 

 has been dug level, so that the mixture gets washed into 

 the soil equally. 



Gas Lime. Applied in the proportion of 40 bushels to 

 the acre, this will kill nearly all grubs and insects, and 

 will also manure the ground ; but it must be ploughed in 

 deeply before sowing. It is desirable that the ground 

 should remain vacant for some time after. 



COCKROACHES (Elatta orientalis). These pests 

 are frequently, but erroneously, termed Black Beetles. In 

 its mature state, the male has wings extending only half 

 the length of the body ; the female has only rudimentary 



FIG. 484. FEMALE COCKROACF 



wings (see Fig. 484) ; her eggs, which are about sixteen 

 in number, are enclosed in an oblong case, which she 

 carries about with her at first, fixed to the abdomen 

 by a sort of gum. There are several good recipes for 

 the destruction of these; and, although not generally so 

 numerous as some other insects, they are sufficiently so to 

 demand attention. It should be remembered that, like 

 Crickets, they will not always eat the same thing, and, 

 therefore, if one remedy fails, another should be tried. 



Cockroaches continued. 



Traps. The ordinary beetle traps sold at shops, if 

 baited with honey or sprinkled with beer, will catch large 

 quantities. Basins, containing beer, or beer and water, 

 and having a few sticks placed against the sides to 

 form a road, will also be found successful ; soda water or 

 champagne bottles, partly filled with beer and water, or 

 weak honey syrup, and sunk into the earth, will prove very 

 effective traps if not too often disturbed. 



COCKSCOMB. See Celosia. 



COCKSFUR THORN. See Cratsegus Cms-galli. 



COCOA-NUT FIBRE REFUSE. This is a most 

 useful and inexpensive material, extensively employed by 

 gardeners for various purposes. It is described as being 

 free from any acid, saline, or tannin principle. The more 

 recent or fresh it is, the longer it will last, and the 

 better it is for all purposes. Being very light and easily 

 worked, it forms one of the best materials for plunging 

 small pots in, either in the propagating house or frame, 

 in winter and spring, or outside, at any time. Cuttings 

 of tender bedding plants are propagated by thousands 

 annually in Cocoa-nut Fibre, as they root into it Tory 

 quickly. It may also be used for potting snch plants as 

 these, but not for any subjects that are to be potted 

 permanently, as it retains too much moisture, and de- 

 composes so quickly. As a surface covering for flower- 

 beds in summer, and for affording protection to the 

 roots of somewhat tender plants during the winter months, 

 Cocoa-nut Fibre Refuse is unequalled, in cheapness or 

 otherwise. It may be employed with much success in 

 rendering stiff, clayey, and other unfertile soils into pro- 

 ductive ones, and is also useful in various other ways. 



COCOA-NUT PALM. See Cocos nucifera. 



COCOA PLUM. See Chrysobalanus Icaco. 



FIG. 485. Cocos AUSTRALIS, showing Fruiting Plant before Stem is developed, and detached Fruit. 



James'* Phosphor Paste. Without exception, this is j 

 one of the best exterminators. Spread on slices of 

 bread, or mixed with honey, the insect takes it readily. 

 Two or three applications are generally sufficient. 



Arsenic. This, prepared as for ants, or mixed with 

 boiled potatoes, parsnips, or roasted apples, will also kill 

 almost every one in a few nights. 



Bracken. The fresh cut fronds of Pteris aquilina, laid 

 about, are said to drive them away. 



COCOS (from coco, the Portuguese for monkey; in 

 reference to the end of the nut being like a monkey's 

 head). Cocoa-nut Tree. OED. Palmes. A genus of ele- 

 gant stove Palms, which, in their native countries, grow 

 into majestic proportions. They are unarmed trees, with 

 smooth, ringed trunks, and pinnatisect leaves, with linear 

 segments. Spadices appearing in the axils of the lower 

 leaves. Drupes with a fibrous husk and a solitary seed, 

 with three holes at the base. They thrive in a compost 



