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 fur 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?

Bui 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 dnty to persuade men to abandon such unholy 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, we must take the liberty of saying that the insinuations conveyed in these announcements are both unjust and uncalled lor. That there are dishonest men in all professions we frankly admit; but this does not render the rofes s'ons 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 will a mean and dishonest one. The selfish, dishonest nurseryman, if an editor, puffs his own goods, and exaggerates their merits, while the dishonest editor who is not a nurseryman, will puff 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 public 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 fraudulenoe of the times, our confidence in him is not inoreased. 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 men, whose talents, taste and learning should command patronage, beg it on such paltry grounds. For our part we would soorn such appeals for support. We do all we can to give our patrons value for their money, and we trust when we fail to do this, or when they discover that we are partial or dishonest, or any way unworthy of confidence, they will drop us at once.