A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

CAR 124 CAR
Pepper. Qf this there are three varie-
ties:
—
1. Cherry-shaped.
2. Bell-shaped, or Ox-heart.
3. Yellow-podded.
C. grossum.—Capsicum, or Bell Pepper.
Of this there are three varieties:
1. Old Bell-shaped or Buii^nose.
2. Sweet or Spanish.
3. Tomato-shaped.
So/7 ayid Situation.—The soil best
suited for them is a rich moist loam,
rather inclining to lightness than tenacity.
Time and Mode of Sowing.—They are
propagated by seed, which may be sown
towards tlie end of March or beginning
of April in a hot-bed of moderate size,
with the shelter of a frame; or somewhat
later on an open border, protected
from cold winds: when the plants are
sufficiently advanced they may be transplanted
to their permanent position in
the garden.
To obtain Seed.—For the production
of seed a {)lant bearing some of the forwardest
and finest fruit of each Variety
must be preserved, that it may be ripe
before the frosts commence, the first of
which usually kills the plants. When
completely ripe, the pods are cut and
hung up in the sun, or in a warm room,
until completely dry, in which state
they are kept until the seed is wanted
for sowing.
CARAGANA. Fourteen species.
Chiefly hardy deciduous shrubs. Grafts,
layers or seeds. Sandy open loam.
CARALLIA lucida. Stove evergreen
tree. Cuttings. Sandy peat and loam.
CARALLUMA. Four species. Stove
evergreen shrubs. Cuttings. Loam
and brick rubbish.
CARAPA. Four species. Stove
evergreen trees. Cuttings. Loam and
sandy peat.
CARAWAY. Carum Carui.
CARDAMLNE. Lady's Smock. Eleven
species. Hardy herbaceous plants.
Division. Peat and lonni.
CARDL\AL FLOWER. Lobelia cardinnlis.
CARDOON. {Cynara cardunculus.)
The stalks of the inner leaves, when
rendered tender by blanching, are used
in stews, soups, and salads.
Soil and Situation.—A light rich soi
is most suitable to this vegetable, dur
deep and well pulverised. The situation
must be open, and free from trees
j
Time and Mode of Sowing.—It may
be sown at the close of March, but for
the main crop not until the early part of
April, those plants raised from earlier
sowings being apt to run at the close of
autumn ; for a late crop, a sowing may
be performed in June. The best practice
is to sow in patches of three or
four rows four feet apart each way, to
be thinned finally to one in each place,
the weakest being removed. If, however,
they are raised in a seed bed,
they will be ready for transplanting in
about eight or ten weeks from the time
of sowing, and must be set at similar
distances as are specified above.
The plants of the first sowing are
generally three weeks before they make
their appearance; those from the latter
ones about two. If after a lapse of
these times they do not appear, it
should be ascertained if the seed is decayed,
and in thnt case the sowing renewed.
The seed must be sown rather
thin, and covered about half an inch.
When about a month old, the seedlings,
when too thick, must be thinned
to four inches apart, and those removed
may be pricked out at a similar distance.
When of the age sufficient for
their removal they must be taken up
carefully, and the long straggling leaves
removed. The bed for their reception
must be dug well and laid out in
trenches as for celery, or a hollow sunk
for each plant ; but as they are liable
to suffer from excessive wet, the best
mode is to plant on the surface, and
form the necessary earthing in the form
of a tumulus. Water must be applied
abundantly at the time of planting, as
well as subsequently, until they are
established ; and also in August, if dry
weather occurs, regularly every other
night, as this is found to prevent their
running to seed. The only other necessary
point to be attended to is, that
they may be kept free from weeds during
every stage of their growth. When
advanced to about eighteen inches in
height, which according to the time of
sowing will be in August, and thence
to October, the leaves must be closed
together by encircling them with a hayband,
and earth placed round each
plant, a dry day being selected for performing
it. As they continue to grow,
fresh bands and earth must be constant-
ly appli(;d until they are blanched to
the height of two feet, or about two-