editor's table. 



New Brighton, Statkn Island, April 5, 1856. 



,T. Jay Smith, Esq. — Dear Sir : I do not wish to trespass upon your space witli anything 

 like a j>arty controvei-sy, but, if you will favor nie with a short t;xplanation to Mr. Jhtpp's 

 strictures in your April number, it will not bo repeated. I wished to keep you apprised of 

 what was going on amongst our horticultural societies, and accordingly sent on a report of 

 the exhibition at Brooklyn, in September. Particular attention was directed to the plans 

 (wliich wore publicly exhibited) for the intended botanical gardens. As regards Mr. llepp, 

 he had jjreviously made me aciiuainted with his ideas orally, so that it did not reiinire more 

 than an hour's close examination to judge of its merits. It so happens, that I have had a 

 good deal of experience with the pencil, and also in carrying such designs into execution 

 on the ground ; I was thus the better prepared to pass an opinion, and as this was a portion 

 of the exhibition, there was no liarm in mentioning it in the general report. If such things are 

 not to be ci-iticized, the parties presenting them should place a card upon them to that effect, 

 or else be prej^ared for the result. It appears, however, that Mr. Ih^pp takes exception only 

 to my inferior intellect, or, rather, as he states it, "a correct opinion of it calls for mental 

 acquirements different from those available to the author of that article." His knowledge 

 of my mental ac(iuiremonts must surely have been jmlged of at a "glance;" for he has 

 only seen me some half dozen times, and a part of those interviews were, on his own part, 

 for the purpose of getting information. I had no ill-feeling to him in that criticism, and am 

 sorry that he could not have replied to it in a more gentlemanly manner than by becoming 

 both judge and jury over my humble abilities. Whether he be correct or not in his verdict, 

 " requires more self-conceit than I would like to be possessed with to assume such nnques- 

 tionable authority." No one could be more willing than I to give him credit for his abilities, 

 so far as they go, but he has yet much to learn before he can fully comprehend the bold and 

 majestic scenery of America, or adapt his designs to the expansive and utilitarian views of 

 its society. That requires the mind of a Downing. We have already too many small notions, 

 and when we see more of them likely to occur, it becomes a duty to speak out. Such was 

 the case in this instance, and I would again say, with all deference, "take the hint." 



It would be an easy matter to point out, before a competent committee, the " misplaced 

 utility," and if Mr. Hepp and that committee were to look over the many credentials of 

 merit that are in my possession, from reliable sources, not only for practical horticulture, 

 but also in his more immediate calling, it is probable, to say the least of it, they would 

 conclude that we are on a par ; with the advantage, on my side, of some " fifteen years' " 

 miore experience. Most respectfully yours, Wm. Chorlton. 



Micuacx and Nuttall's Sylva. — By the late disastrous fire at the Artisans' Building, in 

 Philadelphia, the wliole of the remainder of the sheets of the edition of Michaux and Nuttall's 

 Sylra were destroyed. It will be immediately reprinted, but orders on hand will necessarily 

 be temporarily delayed. 



Parsons & Co.'s Nurseries. — We have received a valuable bundle of new evergreen, and 

 other trees and plants, from the reliable nurseries of Parsons & Co., at Flushing, Long Island, 

 for experimental growth. Among them we notice Pinus Benthamiana, a new tree, of rapid 

 growth; P. pumilio ; Cunninghamia sinensis, somewhat resembling the Araucaria, but more 

 hardy ; Abies menzesii ; Juniperus ericoides ; Abies morinda and Douglasii, &c. &c., for 

 which they will accept our thanks. 



Lawton Blackberry. — Thaddeus Davids, Esq., and Mr. Lawton, of New York, have for- 

 warded us a large allowance of the true Blackberry. (5'ee Mr. Lawton's Advertisement.) 



Northern Spy Apple. — A box of this invaluable Apple of the Spitzenburgh family, received 

 by express on the 15tli of April, in the finest order, has placed us under obligations to Mr. 

 James H. Watts, of Rochester, N. Y., who has a special affection for this fruit, and evidently 

 cultivates it con amore. It is a fine keeper, even to June ; it is now as firm as when taken 

 from the tree, which is a great bearer, the branches weighed down to the ground with the 

 fruit. These are the best specimens we have ever seen, and they are pronounced very aupe- 

 rior. It originated near Rochester, where it seems to luxuriate. Mr. Watts may well be 

 gratified with the results of his horticulture. 



Seedling Potatoes. — We have received, from Daniel A. Buckley, of Williamstown, Mass., 

 some of his Stone Hill and Chili seedling potatoes, of the value of which, for this climate, 

 a report will in due time be made. The Stone Hills are noble fellows. 



