Chestnuts.—­To raise trees from seed sow the nuts in November, about 2 in. deep.  When two years old they may be transplanted to their permanent site.  The only pruning they require is to cut away any branches which would prevent the tree forming a well-balanced head.

Chicory.—­Sow in May or June in drills of rich soil, and thin out to 6 in. apart.  In autumn lift the roots and store them in dry sand.  To force leaves for salads, plant the roots closely together in boxes or large pots, with the tops only exposed, using ordinary soil; place in a temperature of 55 degrees, and keep in the dark.  Long blanched leaves will soon appear, ready for use.

Chilli.—­Same treatment as Capsicum.

Chimonanthus Fragrans (Japan Allspice).—­This delightfully fragrant hardy shrub, known as the Winter Flower, produces its blooms in January before the leaves appear.  Should sharp frost set in, protection ought to be given to the flowers.  The plant requires a fairly good soil, and is most at home when trained against a wall.  It is generally propagated by means of layers.  Height, 6 ft.

Chinese Sacred Narcissus (Oriental Lily, Joss Flower, or Flower of the Gods, the Chinese emblem of good luck).—­This is a very beautiful variety of the Polyanthus Narcissus, and is grown to bloom at the advent of the Chinese New Year.  It is very fragrant and free blooming, and is generally flowered in an ornamental bowl of water, the bulb being surrounded with pretty pebbles to keep it well balanced.  It may also be grown in a pot of mould, kept in a dark place for about ten days, then placed in a sunny position and supplied with water.  It flowers from six to eight weeks after planting.

Chionanthus Virginica (Fringe Tree).—­A curious shrub which is best raised from seed.  It succeeds in any soil, and bears white flowers in July.  It will grow to the height of 20 ft. or more.

Chionodoxa Luciliae (Glory of the Snow).—­A pretty hardy spring-flowering bulbous plant.  The blossoms, from five to six in number, are produced on gracefully arched stems, 4 to 8 in. high, and are nearly 1 in. across, star-like in form, and of a lovely blue tint on the margin, gradually merging into pure white in the centre.  Fine for growing in clumps.  Plant the bulbs in autumn in equal parts of loam, peat, and sand.  It succeeds fairly well in the open, but reaches perfection in a cold frame, where the flowers will be produced in March.  Height, 6 in.

Choisya Ternata (Mexican Orange).—­A pretty evergreen wall plant, bearing sweet-scented white flowers in July.  The bush is round, and extremely ornamental when grown in the shrubbery.  It delights in a mixture of peat and loam, and is propagated by cuttings placed in sand under a handglass, or, better still, by layers of the lower branches in March, detaching them in the autumn.  While young it makes a fine pot-plant.  Height, 6 ft.