Encyclopaedia of Gardening 69 



Cercis, Judas Tree (cer-cis, from kerkis, a shuttlecock, so named 

 by Theophrastus. Ord. Leguminosae). Among the several trees 

 on which Judas Iscariot is reputed to have ended his life is Cercis 

 siliquastrum, a native of Southern Europe, which produces purplish- 

 red flowers in May (see the Botanical Magazine, t. 1168). The 

 flowers are attractive, and the tree is worth planting in the flower 

 garden, but in cold districts it should be given a sheltered place. 



Cereus. See Cactus. 



Cestrum (ces-trum, an old Greek name. Ord. Solanaceae). 

 Allied to Habrothamnus. The most popular species is aurantiacum, 

 a warm-house shrub which produces orange flowers in early summer, 

 and may grow to 5 ft. high. It looks well against a wall or pillar. 

 Loam, with a little peat and some sand, suits. Propagation is by 

 cuttings in sandy soil in spring. Prune after flowering. 



Ceterach (cet-erach, from keterak, the Arabic name). As we have 

 already seen, the hardy Scale fern, Ceterach omcinarum, is now 

 called Asplenium ceterach by botanists. It is suitable for the 

 rockery. 



Chalk. Useful as an application to sour, acid soils. See Manure 

 and Lime. 



Chamaecyparis (White Cedar). See Cupressus. 



Chamaepeuce (chamaepeu-ce, from chamai, dwarf, and peuke, 

 pine, pine-like leaves. Ord. Compositae). Two plants are grown 

 under this name, although modern botanists put them in the genus 

 Cnicus. They are C. Casabonae and C. diacantha, the former of 

 which is known as the Fish-bone or Herring-bone Thistle. They 

 are grown for their foliage, being planted out in sub-tropical gardens. 

 They may be raised from seed in a warm house in spring, and have 

 ordinary garden soil. 



Chamaerops (chamae-rops, from chamai, dwarf, and rhops, a 

 twig literally, small palm. Ord. Palmeae). Fan-leaved palms, 

 gracefully cut. C. humilis is a popular plant, and is comparatively 

 hardy, so that it may be grown in a cool house, or even out of doors 

 in mild districts. Loam, with a little leaf mould and some sand, 

 will suit. Propagation is by seed in a warm house, or by suckers. 

 It may be grown in a room, and with careful watering and an occa- 

 sional sponging of the leaves, will remain healthy a long time. 



Charcoal. The result of burning wood with exclusion of air, 

 charcoal is almost pure carbon, and as such is good for mixing with 

 composts for plants of almost all kinds. When broken into pieces 

 about the size of cob-nuts it may be put at the bottom of flower- 

 pots, where it will help to keep the soil sweet. A few bits in bulb 

 glasses and bowls are good. Orchid growers make considerable 

 use of it. 



Chards. When the principal heads of Globe Artichokes have 

 been used, the plants are cut back, and new growths break. When 

 these are about 2 ft. high they are bound round with straw and 

 earthed to blanch them. In about 6 weeks the stems will be ready, 

 and are then called Chards. 



