EDITOK'S TABLE. 



S^Itoi-'^ I^ble/ 



A WORD OK TWO wiTn OUE CoUTEMPORAKiES. — Several horticultural editors have lately 

 taken great pains to inform the public that they are not pecuniarily interested in nurseries 

 of trees, seed stores, or other horticultural commodities. "What is the object of this? Is 

 it to inspire confidence in their superior abilities or opportunities to discharge the duties 

 they have undertaken ? We think not, for although nurserymen may not be the most 

 efficient and competent editors, they have certainly good opportunities for acquiring the 

 information which it becomes necessary to impart. A man who is actually engaged in the 

 practice of horticulture in all its branches, with the most ample stock of material at hand, 

 should be as competent an editor, other things being equal, as a doctor or lawyer, who 

 practices horticulture only with the pen. Where, we would candidly ask, are we to look 

 for horticultural editors, if not among the ranks of those who are devoted to its study and 

 practice ? Will those who proudly disclaim any connection with the trade pretend that it 

 disqualifies a man for the editorial chair ? 



But they may say " if it does not render a man incapable, it prevents him from being 

 honest, or at least, impartial and reliable." Is this so ? Is the cultivation and sale of trees 

 and plants, or seeds, such a demoralizing pursuit that a man cannot engage in it and remain 

 honest and impartial. If these disinterested gentlemen believe so, they are bound in duty to 

 persuade men to abandon such nnlioly pursuits. They should wage an open war against 

 such a corrupting traffic. Will they do this ? If so, let it be done openly and manfully, 

 and not by insinuation. For our own part, Ave must take the liberty of saying that the 

 insinuations conveyed in these announcements are both unjust and uncalled for. That 

 there are dishonest men in all professions we frankly admit ; but this does not render the 

 ] rofe; s'oas corrupt or demoralizing, nor make it impossible for an honest man to practice 

 them in an honest way. An honest, honorable man, will be so in all situations, and so wiU 

 a mean and dishonest one. The selfish, dishonest nurseryman, if an editor, pufis his own 

 goods, and exaggerates their merits, while the dishonest editor who is not a nurseryman, 

 will putf other people's goods for a consideration. Where is the difference ? There is no 

 safety for the public in a man's occupation, nor elsewhere save in his integrity and good 

 judgment ; and we apprehend a discerning pubhc will ask of an editor of a horticultural 

 journal — " Is he honest ; is he competent?" and not, " Is he a nurseryman, or a doctor?" 



Suppose these honest gentlemen, by accident, or otherwise, become interested in some 

 nursery stock ; and suppose they should even go so far as to advertise a few Pear trees or 

 Strawberry plants for sale, would they have us write them down as knaves — as no longer 

 worthy of confidence ? Would they have us believe that they hold their integrity by such 

 a slender tenure ? We hope not. We confess that when we hear a person talk about his 

 particular disinterestedness, and lament over the fraudulencc of the times, our confidence 

 in him is not increased. It reminds us of the Pharisee of old. To decry others, and boast 

 our own virtue, is not the way, even in these days, to win respect and confidence ; and we 

 are surprised not a little that some whom we have regarded as high-minded and honorable 



