Retrospective Criticism. 157 



in two seasons they would outgrow the stock so rapidlj', that it 

 would be incapable of sustaining the weight of the graft: these were 

 operated upon about eight feet from the ground. I now insert the 

 graft from a foot down to the surface, and with a fair prospect of 

 success. I grafted, last spring, the Montmorency cherry on a large 

 tree of the wild species: they took well, and in the course of three 

 more seasons I expect to have the whole tree changed. — W. C. TV., 

 Ballimore, J\larch2^, 1841. 



Camellia japonica var. Flby\. — Your Baltimore friends are much 

 pleased with your remarks in the last number, touching the Floyi 

 camellia being figurerl in the Abbe Berlese's work, under a high- 

 soundinir foreign name. — Id. 



Mr. IValker^s collection of Tulips. — Mr. Editor: — In your January 

 number of the present year, pages 7 and 8, 1 perceive you have notic- 

 ed my tulips in connection with "a rival in a magnificent collection of 

 one thousand bulbs, imported by the Public Garden," giving your 

 readers to understand that niy show, the present season, will take 

 place at my own garden in Roxbury. This statement, sir, is not 

 just in accordance with my views of the matter: permit me, if you 

 please, to explain. 



The tulips imported by the Public Garden are not, in my opinion, 

 "rivals," but kindred spirits from the court of Flora: viewing them 

 in this light, I shall enter into no competition. It is enough for me 

 to know that a thousand bulbs of this splendid flower are now in the 

 Public Garden, under the care of those who understand their culti- 

 vation, and placed, as it were, at the very doors of the citizens of 

 Boston, who will admire and appreciate their various qualities, as 

 they ever do the rare, the lovely, and the beautiful, whenever pre- 

 sented to their view; and so long as the Public Garden shall continue 

 to cultivate this "king of florists' flowers," I shall make no exhi- 

 bition of my lulips. 



My garden will be thrown open, and ray collection of tulips sub- 

 mitted to the inspection of my friends and to every lover of flowers, 

 when they are in bloom, under the general invitation of, Come, all 

 ye lovers of Flora, and come and welcome. 



I hope to show specimens of some new and choice imported sorts, 

 not to be found elsewhere in this country; and also a few new vari- 

 eties of my own raising. If I should add to the pleasure of my 

 friends by such a display, it will be, to me, a source of gratification. 

 — Four friend, v^-c, S. Walker, Roxbury, March 16, 1841. 



[We most willingly give place to the above explanation. We did 

 not intend to have our readers infer that the Public Garden had pro- 

 cured the collection of tulips for the purpose of competition, but 

 merely to add to the interest of the estal)lishment, and render it 

 more attractive to visitors; our correspondent having, for various 

 reasons, preferred to cultivate his tulips at his own garden, where 

 individuals could come and inspect them, when in bloom, and those 

 who are desirous of purchasing roots could select them while in 

 bloom. We were not aware, however, till we received the above 

 note, that Mr. Walker would throw his collection open to the pub- 

 lic, free of admission. This liberality on his part should be met by 

 amateurs and others by a ready purchase of the bulbs, of which he 

 has such a splendid assortment. — Ed.'\ 



