We have, from Albany, N. Y., a pamphlet setting forth the advantages and profits of thorough drainage. It emanates from the manufacturers of tile, C. and W. McCam-mon, and will convince the most incredulous.

W. L. Ferris, of Throg's Neck, Westchester Co., N. Y., has sent us a catalogue of his extensive nurseries, in which is enumerated a large collection of old and new descriptions of desirable trees, shrubs, and greenhouse plants.

New Brighton, Statbr Island, April 5,1856.

J. Jay Smith, Esq. - Dear Sib: I do not wish to trespass upon your space with anything like a party controversy, but, if yon will favor me with a short explanation to Mr. Hepp's strictures in your April number, it will not be 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 (which were publicly exhibited) for the intended botanical gardens. As regards Mr. Hepp, he had previously made me acquainted with his ideas orally, so that it did not require 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 harm in mentioning it in the general report. If such things are not to be criticized, the parties presenting them should place a card upon them to that effect, or else be prepared for the result.

It appears, however, that Mr. Hepp 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 acquirements must surely have been judged 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 unquestionable 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' " more experience. Most respectfully yours, Wm. Chorlton.

Drainage #1

Every piece of ground, before planting, should be well drained, or else planting must be sooner or later a failure. Where trees have been already planted on undrained land, and the water stands around the tree in pools, or the soil seems unduly wet, the best method to adopt is to throw up a hillock of dirt of eight inches or more in height, extending out three feet from the trunk of the tree. This will keep the water away from the roots; in summer you can spread this soil again out flat. . There is no surer way to induce blight than neglect in drainage. Those who are too anxious to plant out largely, are reminded that a few trees well treated will pay more than ten times their number who are invariably stunted, because they lack all the condition of successful growth.