In reply to Mr. Pentland's strictures on my article on the Verbena, it may be remarked at the outset that I do not quite agree with him regarding the consequences likely to arise from discussing questions relating to horticulture, provided such discussions are conducted in a liberal and candid spirit, and "when the thing sought is truth rather than victory;" believing, as I do, that truth has never eventually suffered from having her claims to acceptance and belief freely investigated, but has come out of all such trials that " bright and shining thing " she ever was and ever shall be.

I disclaim all personal motives in what I have said, or may yet say, on this subject. In proof of this, it is enough to state that I do not cultivate flowers for sale, and, of course, do not "depend upon the public for my bread and butter." And as I make no pretensions to being an Englishman, I have no greater reason-for feeling sensitive on account of any thing said of them, than Mr. Pentland him self. This being the case, his references to " beef" and " plum pudding," etc, are meaningless, being entirely wanting in application. It is needless, however, to mention nationalities in a dispute like this. I recognize none. In matters relating to horticulture, I am willing to "smoke the peace-pipe " with Frenchmen, Englishmen, Germans, and Americans; and would have a word to say in behalf of any or all of them, and Mr. Pentland himself, should they or he be unjustly assailed. I did think, however, Mr. Pentland talked of a respectable class of men in rather a flippant and disrespectful manner, and dealt them some side thrusts which, to say the least, were not creditable to his magnanimity. It seems, however, we have been all wrong in supposing he said any thing derogatory to the English florists.

We accept his explanation, but can not help thinking his statements looked rather obscure, and very likely to be misunderstood.

It seems to be a foregone conclusion with some, that varieties of the Verbena originating in England are not so well adapted to the American climate as those raised here. Now, on this subject there may be a diversity of opinion. It can not be disputed, we think, that many which do well there, when brought to this country do not give satisfaction, owing, no doubt, to peculiarities of constitution which fit them for the one climate and not for the other. But to suppose that foreign varieties generally do not succeed as well here as natives, can only be a gratuitous assumption, and is by no means supported by facts. I am utterly at a loss to understand how the influence of climate operates upon the " morphological law of change" in the production of new varieties, so as to fit them better for one climate than another. It seems far more in accordance with known facts to suppose that varieties come into existence in every country not suited to that country, and, of course, cease to be grown there; whereas, were they taken to a location every way adapted to their peculiar temperaments, " the case being altered, would alter the case." So far as I have been able to investigate this nice question, the conclusion forces itself upon me that it matters little, if at all, where varieties originate, as to whether they are " good growers, fine bloomers, and their colors not burn out with the sun;" and rather think these properties are bestowed upon some, and not on others, from the operation of occult causes not subject to the control of climate at all.

By a careful collation of facts, the evidence in support of this proposition becomes overpowering.

And further, I believe the experience of the best florists will bear me out in saying that imported varieties, in general, grow quite as vigorously and stand the sun as well as native sorts. In proof of this, do not Robinson's Defiance, Mrs. Woodruff, General Simpson, and dozens more which could be named, do better than "tolerably well," and a hundredfold better than such home productions as Uncle1 Tom, Chenedole, Painted Lady, (what a name!) and many more, really good, if they could be made to grow better, and their colors not "burn out?"

Mr. Pentland asks if I suppose this thing of pandering to this European opinion is all right, and that we Americans do not know a good flower when we see it. He can not have inferred from any thing I have said that I entertain any such opinion. I do not hesitate to say, however, I believe the people in this country far better "posted " on fruits than flowers. And if they bestowed one fourth the attention on flowers they so devotedly do on fruits, floriculture would soon be in that condition so much desired by its best friends. If there is such a thing as pandering at all, I most surely think it wrong. But even granting it true, there does not seem to-be any thing about it to frighten any one. And, withal, it may have been productive of greater good than Mr. Pentland would be willing to admit.

The state of society in this country is greatly different from what it is in some of the countries in Europe; England, for example. Here the wealthy classes generally are a little more gregarious than the same class there. Here they may purchase land and a home for themselves one year, and sell it the next; whereas in Britain the landocracy at least have their estates secured to themselves and their heirs by the laws of primogeniture and entail. On these estates they can plant gardens and build conservatories without the apprehension of one day seeing them in the possession of strangers. And they generally do this on a scale proportionate to their means. These places are mostly superintended by gardeners, who, as a class, are intelligent, and have had to go through a regular course of training for many years before they can be so promoted. From the position they occupy, they have many facilities for making their influence felt and acknowledged as no mean power in carrying forward every thing relating to horticulture to still more advanced posts on the highway of improvement In short, gardeners there are not the drudges too many of them are here, but have time to collect every valuable plant within their reach, and purchase novelties.