iS8i.] NOTES FROM THE PAPERS. 63 



notwithstanding, to strut in borrowed feathers on the occasion. The 

 probable reason was the want of the ability to describe his own prac- 

 tice in his own language — hence the dressing of it up in somebody 

 else's. One of the latest devices exhibited by this fraternity, however, 

 is to copy the writings of some one else into their memorandum-book, 

 and put them away to pickle for a period of years, after which they 

 come to regard them as their own. The advantages of this plan are, 

 that the real author might die in the meantime, and at the least 

 the copyist will merit commendation for the excellent quality of his 

 "preserves." After all, it is a sorry business this pilfering; and the 

 root of the evil seems to be a vain desire to make people believe you 

 are the embodiment of all originality and ability yourself. It is very 

 proper and chivalrous to acknowledge the authorship of all declared 

 opinions or practices as far as possible, and such will always stand as 

 testimony in one's favour. He is a poor creature who imagines that 

 either his own exclusive practice or preaching will be accepted by 

 everybody without question, or that it will suit all cases. 



If what has been stated be true, the new Alnwick Seedling Grape is 

 likely to be one of the best looking of late Grapes — being larger than 

 either the Alicante or Lady Downes in the berry. A good buncher 

 when it sets well, and taking on a splendid colour ; but it is not so 

 good as either of the other two to eat — being comparatively sour even 

 when quite ripe. We have tested fine-looking examples of it along 

 with the other two grown beside it, and no doubt could be entertained 

 of its more acid and less agreeable flavour. 



Mr Burbidge's new book, * Gardens of the Sun,' is out, and contains 

 much suggestive information for the gardener ; but it is practically 

 beyond his reach — though we thought it was intended for him, as it 

 would certainly be more useful to him than anybody else : the price 

 is 14s. It is the publisher and not the author that arranges these 

 matters, we suppose ; but it seems a pity that cheap editions of such 

 works cannot be provided, like Scott's Novels, Shakespeare, and other 

 popular books. Any book that costs more than 5s. is too dear for the 

 gardener in a general way. Burbidge's ' Cultivated Plants ' has the 

 same fault as the other — it is nearly as dear. There is hardly a book 

 on garden literature that would be more useful to the gardener — par- 

 ticularly those who take an interest in hybridising and the raising of 

 new fruits and flowers, &c. ; but it is not well known amongst them. 

 A cheap edition of the latter, that would come within the reach of 

 young gardeners, and old ones too, is very desirable. * Gardens of the 

 Sun,' with its attractive title, which reminds one of some of Mayne 

 Reid's stirring romances, will, we daresay, interest a variety of readers ; 

 but 'Cultivated Plants' can only have an interest for a certain class, 

 and that class, as a rule, cannot afford to buy it. Reader. 



