==Capsicum and Chili==

==Capsicum annuum, C. baccatum==

Capsicums and Chilis are so interesting and ornamental that it is surprising they are grown in comparatively few gardens.  Sometimes there is reason to lament that Cayenne pepper is coloured with drugs, but the remedy is within reach of those who find the culture of Capsicums easy, and to compound the pepper is not a difficult task.  The large-fruited varieties may also be prepared in various ways for the table, if gathered while quite young and before the fruits change colour.

The cultivation of Capsicums is a fairly simple matter.  The best course of procedure is to sow seed thinly in February or March in pots or pans of fine soil placed on a gentle hot-bed or in a house where the temperature is maintained at about 55 deg..  Pot on the young plants as they develop and keep them growing without a check.  Spray twice daily, for Capsicums require atmospheric moisture and the Red Spider is partial to the plant.  Nice specimens may be grown in pots five to eight inches in diameter, beyond which it is not desirable to go, and as the summer advances these may be taken to the conservatory.  Plants intended for fruiting in warm positions out of doors should be hardened off in readiness for transfer at the end of May.  In gardens favourably situated, as are many in the South of England, it is sufficient to sow a pinch of seed on an open border in the middle of May, and put a hand glass over the spot.  The plants from this sowing may be transferred to any sunny position, and will yield an abundant crop of peppers.

The Bird Pepper or Chili is grown in precisely the same way as advised for Capsicum.

To prepare the pods for pepper, put the required number into a wire basket, and consign them to a mild oven for about twelve hours.  They are not to be cooked, but desiccated, and in most cases an ordinary oven, with the door kept open to prevent the heat rising too high, will answer perfectly.  Being thus prepared, the next proceeding is to pound them in a mortar with one-fourth their weight of salt, which also should be dried in the oven, and used while hot.  When finely pounded, bottle securely, and there will be a perfect sample of Cayenne pepper without any poisonous colouring.  One hundred Chilis will make about two ounces of pepper, which will be sufficient in most houses for one year’s supply.  The large ornamental Capsicums may be put on strings, and hung up in a dry store-room, for use as required, to flavour soups, make Chili vinegar, Cayenne essence, &c.  The last-named condiment is prepared by steeping Capsicums in pure spirits of wine.  A few drops of the essence may be used in any soup, or indeed wherever the flavour of Cayenne pepper is required.

==Cardoon==

==Cynara Cardunculus==