USEFUL GREENHOUSE PLANTS 301 



height and more branching. Both produce seeds freely, which should 

 be sown in spring in ordinary soil. 



Century Plant. See Agave americana. 



Cherry Pie. See Heliotrope. 



Chqrizema. A pretty class of slender growing shrubs, natives of 

 Australia, all of which bear in profusion small pea-shaped blossoms 

 of yellow or red colours. They need much the same treatment and 

 soil as the Indian Azalea, which see. 



Chrysanthemum frutescens. See Marguerite. 



Chrysanthemums. See special chapter, p. 353. 



Cineraria. A wealth of blossom is furnished by the huge massive 

 heads of the garden varieties of Cineraria, among which many different 

 tints are represented. White flowers are, of course, always popular, and 

 in direct contrast to this an intense purple-blue often occurs among the 

 Cinerarias. An objection urged by some against these Cinerarias is 

 their lumpy style of growth. Such objection, however, cannot be urged 

 against some of the newer hybrids, obtained by the crossing of a few of 

 the original species. These are taller in growth than the others, and 

 the individual flowers are much smaller, but they are borne in great 

 profusion, and the entire plant is light and graceful. The long sprays, 

 too, are valuable for cutting. 



The usual method of increasing the Cineraria is by means of seed, 

 which should be sown about May, though, when grown in quantity, two 

 or three sowings are needful to maintain a succession. The seed is small, 

 and care should be taken not to sow it too thickly. If sown lightly, 

 it will soon germinate, and when the young plants are large enough put 

 them out singly into small pots. A light, airy position in a frame will 

 suit them in this stage, and when sufficiently advanced they may be 

 shifted into the pots in which they are to flower. Some prefer pots 

 six inches in diameter for all the Cinerarias, but good examples may be 

 grown in five-inch size, using, however, the larger size for the vigorous 

 plants. A mixture of two-thirds loam to one-third leaf-mould, with a 

 little sand, is very suitable for the Cineraria. In all stages of growth 

 they are liable to be attacked by aphides or green-fly, which quickly 

 injure them ; but, at the same time, these pests are easily kept under 

 by vaporising. 



Clematis. The different forms of Clematis are well known as 

 beautiful, hardy climbers, but one species (and a good one too) requires 

 the protection of a greenhouse. This is Clematis indivisa, a native of 

 New Zealand ; its white, starry blossoms, an inch or so across, are 

 borne in great profusion in March. It is a free-growing climber, and 

 for training to the roof or rafter of a greenhouse is most useful. C. i. 

 lobaia is a good form of it. Good rich loam with a little peat is suitable 

 soil. 



Cobsea SCandens. A very strong-growing climbing plant, suitable 

 for clothing large spaces. The purplish-coloured, bell-shaped blossoms 

 appear freely during the summer months. There is a pretty variety of 

 this with variegated leaves. Ordinary potting-soil. 



