358 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
I have tried is Bentley's Quassia Extract. Tobacco Powder is 
equally effective, but it sometimes damages the tender buds, 
while the former is perfectly innocuous. 
A few remarks on varieties may appropriately form a conclu- 
sion to this paper. It is to be understood that I have strictly 
had in view the cultural requirements of sorts suitable for home 
use only, i.e. for borders, for pots, and for cutting. It is also 
from that point of view that the kinds I am about to name are 
selected. I grow German, French, and English varieties, each 
of which possesses characteristics sometimes markedly different, 
sometimes not so pronounced, but among each are some having 
first-class qualities. 
The German section is mainly characterised by a sturdy- 
habit of plant, by well-formed flowers, and, in the fancy classes, 
by peculiar and harmonious markings. Very many are quite 
unsuitable for gardens. Among those I have tried, the best are 
Germania, yellow ; White Lady, satiny white ; Meta, a carmine 
" Painted Lady " ; Theodore, heliotrope ; Jessica, brilliant rose ; 
Von Bennigsen, a red and yellow fancy ; and Schlosser, a yellow 
fancy Picotee. These are all first-class in every respect. 
Of French varieties I have had a very large number through 
my hands. Many of them possess a vigorous and free-flowering 
habit, which makes them of much value as garden plants. The 
flowers, however, are generally deficient in quality, and few, if 
any, are possessed of the upright habit of growth which one looks 
for in a good border Carnation. Among those I cultivate, the 
best are Countess of Paris, blush, a very early sort ; Hardouin 
Mansard, deep pink, very late ; Ilonore de Balzac, soft rose ; and 
a fancy heliotrope, flamed-scarlet variety, the name of which I 
have not got. 
The English varieties are in many cases not all that one 
would desire, but among them are some that are unsurpassed 
for general good qualities. We find among them strong, vigorous, 
upright growers having flowers of the highest quality as to form, 
and colours of the brightest as well as of the softest shades. 
Among the very best are the following : — 
White Flowers. — The Spy; Lady Ridley; Mrs. Eric 
llambro, an improved Niphetos ; Ellen Terry (like a huge 
Malmaison) ; Mrs. F. Godfrey, fine frilled edges. 
LirjJit colours. — Waterwitch, like Countess of Paris, but 
