248 Editors' Letter-Box. 



they prefer it, for the table, to any other variety ; while a host of intelligent horti- 

 culturists and others will not eat it at all. The same is true of many other 

 things. Now, while these things are so, we feel that it is no more than fair that 

 each party should express its opinion ; using care, however, that nothing posi- 

 tively wrong finds its way into our Magazine. This explanation will account for 

 any seeming contradictions that have appeared, or may hereafter appear, in our 

 Journal. Then it is true, and this fact should be constantly kept in mind, that a 

 fruit may be first-rate in the West that is only second or third rate in New Eng- 

 land, and vice versa. As our Magazine goes into every State in the Union, it 

 would be very strange if all the articles were exactly adapted to every location : 

 in fact, it would be an utter impossibility to have them so. We shall endeavor 

 to furnish good matter well adapted to each section of the country, that none 

 may feel that their interests are neglected. 



The following answers were inadvertently left over, and omitted in our August 

 number : — 



Editor '■'•American yotirnal of Horticulture,^^ — The success which has 

 attended the cultivation of flowers, and the numerous improved varieties that 

 have been brought into notice within the past ten years, should stimulate those 

 who love flowers to make experiments for the obtaining of new and improved 

 sorts. By good cultivation, the planting of the best kinds near each other, 

 and the selecting of seeds from these plants, good and sometimes very striking 

 flowers may be obtained. The pansy, petunia, and verbena are good examples 

 of what has already been done in this direction ; and they afford abundant en- 

 couragement to those who may wish to make experiments for the obtaining of 

 new and improved varieties of any particular flower. From a number of seed- 

 hngs of the PyretJiriim raised by me this season, I have selected one of the best, 

 the flowers of which I send you. It is quite unlike the one usually cultivated in 

 our greenhouses, having a quilled leaf similar to the quilled daisy, and of a color 

 more nearly allied to the old Pyrethruin of our gardens. 



Yours respectfully, /. C. H. 



Clinton, Oneida County, N.Y. 



[The flowers sent are useful for variety ; but, although prettily quilled, they 

 lack the purity and beauty of the well-known double white variety. — Ed.] 



Names of Plants. — E. D. H., Abington, Mass. — No. i, very much crushed 

 and discolored: probably white martagon lily. No. 2. — Probably Ceanothus 

 Americaniis. But you must send a better specimen of flowers : we cannot 

 judge from a bit of leaf No. 3. — Liij^ustrum vulgare: Privet or prim. An 

 introduced plant. No. 4. — Lysimachia quadrifolia. No. 5. — Spirca Reevesii. 

 No. 6. — Hieracium venosuin. No. 7. — Holcus lauatus, or velvet-grass, a 

 very beautiful and somewhat rare grass. 



Pykus. — Does the seckel pear usually crack before it is half-ripe? — No. 

 Pears crack this season that never did before. The seckel has been somewhat 

 inclined to this fault for several years, but not enough to cause alarm. 



