ANNUALS 225 



prolific production of long-stemmed flowers. It is of the easiest 

 culture. 



Propagation. Seed may be sown in open ground in early 

 Spring or in greenhouse at any season. 



CELOSIA (Cockscomb). There are a number of beautiful 

 varieties of Cockscomb, C. cristata, and of the plumy and feathery 

 C. argentea. The texture of the flower and the colors appear most 

 silvery. They make attractive pot plants. 



Propagation. The seeds should be sown in the early Spring 

 for Summer use. The plants are moisture-loving. 



CHINA ASTER (Callistephus hortensis). The China Aster 

 is the best cut flower annual and the modern types have long stems, 

 large flowers of beautiful colors; together with these quaUties they 

 last the longest of any annual used commercially. The principal 

 points of the culture are summarized thus: Sow seeds in flats early 

 and never let them become root-bound nor checked in any way, else 

 they bloom before they attain their proper growth and perfection. 

 Good seed is an important factor toward superior flowers. 



CLARKIA. The Clarkias, especially C. elegans and C. pukhella, 

 are most interesting annuals, bearing white, lilac or pink flowers. 

 They do nicely in partial shade in a light soil. 



CLEOME (Giant Spider Plant). C. spinosa is a tall-growing 

 annual much used for herbaceous borders and for growing among 

 shrubbery. It has a peculiar appearance due to the long stamens 

 and seed vessels. The flowers are pink and so arranged as to give a 

 light, airy appearance. If the seed vessels are removed as they 

 appear the plants will last much longer in flower. 



Propagation. It is always propagated from seeds which are 

 sown indoors early in the season. 



COSMOS. To have the plants complete their growth early 

 the seed of C. bipinnatus should be sown indoors, or on a hotbed 

 by the middle of March. Give the seedlings enough light to avoid 

 weak growth. Plant out in rather sandy soil, and not too heavily 

 manured. C. sulphureus has yellow flowers; late blooming plants of 

 it may be lifted and put in large pots, or planted out in a bench 

 where there is abundant headroom. When grown on stiff soil the 

 plants lift easily. Some of the more robust shoots may be removed, 

 owing to the loss of some of the roots in removing.* In this way 

 they will give a large quantity of bloom till frost. 



