May 22, 1S90. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
423 
- SPARiiows. —I observe from my window sparrows busily 
engaged searching for caterpillars on the Cherry trees, which, although 
profuse in blossom, the bees have scarcely visited. I have long been of 
the opinion that the sparrows’ desire for fruit buds is because of an 
unnatural thirst being created by having access to food containing salt^ 
and I am confirmed in this opinion because in rural districts where such 
food is entirely absent fruit bushes are less injured than when near 
towns. 
-- Sugar as a Fertiliser. —About the beginning of the pre¬ 
sent century Sir Humphrey Davy, amongst his many experiments 
with different ingredients as fertilisers, found sugar to be very effective. 
I have been trying its effect upon different plants, and find it a safe 
and yet powerful fertiliser. It has had a marked effect upon a Geranium, 
completely altering its appearance and habit of growth from a sickly 
look to one of robustness and freshness without lankiness; it also greatly 
increased the chlorophyl, and 1 have no doubt the brilliancy of the flowers 
will be enhanced. Other plants have been similarly benefited by its 
application.—IF. T, 
- Orchid Exhibition.—T he beautiful Orchid Exhibition, now 
being held by 5Ir. William Bull at 536, King’s Hoad, Chelsea, has just 
been honoured with a visit from H.E. and I.II. The Duchess of Edin- 
burgh, attended by Lady Emma Osborne and Col. The Hon. W. J- 
Colville. It has also been visited by the Comte de Paris, the Duke and 
Duchess of Sutherland, Lord Calthorpe, Marquis of Northampton, Lord 
Hillingdon, Lord and Lady Macnaghten, Viscount and Viscountess 
Sherbrooke, Lord and Lady Lamington, Lord and Lady Seton, Lord 
Carew, Lord Digby, Lord and Lady William Cecil, Lady Mostyni 
Countess Dowager of Morley, Lord and Lady D’Arcy Osborne, Lady 
Theodora Guest, Countess Sondes, Lady Ashburton, Lady Layard, Lord 
and Lady Lawrence, Sir Hy. and Lady Meysey Thompson, Sir H. H« 
\ivian. Sir Thos. and Lady Storey, Sir Harold and Lady Pelly, Sir 
Julian Goldsmid, Ac. 
- Canker in Melons. —Various causes are assigned as the 
source of this dreaded evil, and one of the principal is in burying 
the stems too deeply ao planting. It is a hackneyed phrase to advise 
planting Melons up to the seed leaves, though a greater mistake 
could not be made. It is also a rule to sow several seeds in a pot, 
then to re-pot the seedlings, and often twisting the stem round so as 
to get the soil up to the seed leaves. We sow the seeds singly in small 
pots, which have previously been filled with soil within half an inch of 
the top. The seed is p’aced the same depth beneath the soil, and as soon 
as it has germinated and the seedlings require support small sticks are 
placed to each. Wken ready for planting the soil is only barely placed 
above the roots and ball of soil, so the stem up to the seed leaves is 
3 or 4 inches long. By carrying out the above practice we are never 
troubled with canker in Melons. 
- The Fruit Crop.—I t is rather early yet to judge of the 
condition of the fruit crop, but the outlook is very promising, especially 
where the dreaded caterpillar did not appear last season. In this garden 
all the fruit trees are young, and only planted within the last three or 
four years. Peaches and Nectarines are promising, and all have set a 
heavy crop without exception ; in fact, like the proverbial “ ropes of 
Onions.” Apricots are very good, in fact better than they have been 
for years. Pears are not very good, but as our trees are young this may 
account for it, but as we have a quantity of trees there will be plenty. 
Louise Bonne of Jersey and Beurrd Hardy arc exceptions, in fact it 
seems general for the former. Plums are partial, but the blossom was 
healthy, and the petals fell quickly, so we may hope for a crop. 
Damsons, of which this neighbourhood is famous, will be abund.ant if 
all goes well. Cherries are now full of bloom, and this is a Cherry 
district, but the blossom is very late. As a rule the Cherries are out 
before the Damsons, but from some unaccountable reason these were 
out of blossom before the former came in. Apples are showing well, but 
I hear that in some parts the blossom is scarce. Ecklinville Seedling, as 
bushes on the Crab, is showing profusely, and whatever the advocates 
of the Nonesuch stock say, I shall keep to this stock for the Ecklinville, 
both for the gentleman’s or cottager’s garden, and for home consump¬ 
tion or profit. It does not make a large tree, and will continue grow¬ 
ing and bearing when, I venture to predict, the Nonesuch will be worn 
out. Worcester Pearmain is also showing well. Gooseberries and Black 
Currants are abundant, but Reds are not looking so well. The bloom 
has been a long time in coming out. Strawberries are showing very 
strong. But after all, however promising the outlook, we must wait 
for another month at least to judge of the certainty of our staple kinds, 
such as Apples, Pears, and Plums.—A. Young, Ahberley Hall Gardens, 
Stourjmrt, 
THE CARNATION. 
C Continued from page 402 .) 
Some of the Best Sorts to Grow. 
The varieties in cultivation are exceedingly numerous in the different 
classes, and to which new sorts are being frequently added, more so to the 
perpetual varieties. These seem to become more popular than ever. The 
latest introduction seems to be the red Souvenir de Malmaison. If it 
be equal in size and fragrance to the older variety it will be a decided 
acquisition. The following is a list of some of the best varieties of the 
various classes, beginning with the summer-flowering kinds. 
Flakes, Scarlet .— A. Holmes (Dodwell), Annihilation (.lackson), 
Clipper (Fletcher), Dan Godfrey (Holmes), Henry Cannell (Dodwell), 
Illumination (Puxley), John Bayley (Dodwell), John Ball (Dodwell), 
Master Richard (Dodwell), Robert Morris (Dodwell), Sportsman 
(Fletcher), Thomas (Tomes). 
Pink Flakes .— Biddy Malone (Dodwell), Dorothy’s Sister (Dodwell), 
Jane Merryweather (Wood), Jessica (Turner), Lilly Cannell (Dodwell), 
Mrs. Horne (Dodwell), Mrs. Buckley (Fletcher), Mrs. Anderson (Dod¬ 
well), Rose of Stapleford (Holmes), Rob Roy (Gorton), Thalia (Dodwell), 
Pretty Jane (Dodwell). 
Purple Flakes .— Attraction (Fletcher), Beauty of Woodhouse 
(Slansley), Earl Stamford (Elliott), Mayor of Oxford (Dodwell), Master 
Slender (Dodwell), Mayor of Nottingham (Taylor), Lady Pace (Haslam), 
Master of Balliol (Dodwell), Juno’s Daughter (Dodwell), Squire Trow 
(Jackson), Squire Whitbourn (Dodwell). 
Bizarres, Scarlet .— Arthur Brown (Dodwell), Guardsman (Ward), 
Duke of Grafton (Hooper), George (Dodwell), Lord Napier (Taylor), 
Mr. Fawcett (Fletcher), Master Stanley (Dodwell), Robert Lord (Dod¬ 
well), Squire Potts (Dodwell), William Spoore (Adams), William 
Skirving (Dodwell), William Syms (Dodwell). 
Crimson Bizarres .— Black Diamond (Haines), Dr. Croin (Dodwell) 
Eccentric Jack (Fletcher), Edward Roman (Dodwell), Faust (Dodwell), 
E. Dodwell (Hewit), Grenadier (Dodwell), Harrison Weir (Dodwell), 
Jenny Lind (Puxley), Isaac Wilkinson (Turner), Queen Victoria 
(Fletcher), Shirley Hibberd (Dodwell). 
Purple Bizarres .— Falconbridge (May), James Taylor (Gibbons) 
Lord Clifton (Puxley), Miss Harrison (Dodwell). Mrs. Barlow (Dodwell) 
Madame Giles (Dodwell), Clive (Fletcher), Princess Beatrice (Beards¬ 
ley), Sarah Payne (Ware), Tom Foster (Dodwell), T. S. Ware (Dodwell), 
Thomas Anstiss (Dodwell). 
Selfs .— Albert (Turner), purple ; Alace Ayres, white, marked car¬ 
mine ; Auctioneer (Ware), magenta ; Constance (Dodwell), rich rose ; 
Cynthia (Dodwell) rose ; Daniel Delworth (Dodwell)> purple ; Gertrude 
Leigher (Ware), pink ; Gloire de Nancy (Lemoine), pure white ; King 
of the Yellows (Abercrombie), Lady Rosebery (Turner) yellow; 
W. P. Milner (Fletcher), white ; Old Double Clove, crimson. 
Perpetuals .— Admiral Coubret, deep pink; Alegatiere, rich red ; 
Bridesmaid, white; Germania, light yellow ; James Veitch, flaked, 
striped crimson ; Le Belle, pure white ; Lucifer, scarlet; James Sisley, 
yellow, red edged ; La Triomphe de Lyon, rich red ; Miss Jolliffe, soft 
pink ; Mrs. Hawtry, soft yellow ; Souvenir de la Malmaison, blush 
white; Vulcan, bright red; White Swan; Whipper-in, scarlet, dark 
striped ; Irma, deep rose ; Zouave, red.— David Cooper. 
WATERING SHRUBS. 
In some soils it is not necessary to water newly transplanted 
shrubs and trees, but were this non-watering system to be followed 
indiscriminately the result in some cases would be disastrous. In 
sandy and gravelly soils, and in districts where the spring rainfall 
is small, it has been my fortune to see these two extremes, if I may 
so call them, carried out, and the result under the non-watering 
system was a great loss, and long dwindling in the plants which did 
not succumb. Under the watering system deaths were few, and 
well-rooted healthy plants quickly recovered from the removal 
effects. Even during the course of the present spring I have found 
it necessary to apply water to large and small plants, in some cast s 
with good roots, and in others with only the bare fibrous roots as 
received from nurseries. 
The past winter was dry in the extreme, and by the beginning 
of March large, shrubs transplanted in the previous October 
