Ed. Horticulturist: In a recent number I notice a correspondent recommending the Cuphea eminens, as one of the most valuable winter blooming house plants ever introduced. In reading the report of the committee on flowers of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, I observe they speak of it as utterly worthless. I am much intercepted in winter blooming plants, having to supply bouquets largely for our families, and was about to increase it largely; but now I hesitate. It is quite possible the plant exhibited in Boston was poorly grown, or illy flowered, as I have myself seen very valuable plants brought out in a very dubious condition in order that its owner might have the doubtful credit of being its first exhibitor. I should very much like to have the opinions of others who have grown it, if you think desirable. The committee's opinion of Canna Warscewickzii I fully indorse, and inclose you a few flowers from a spike I have now open.

"A Bouquet-Maker".

[The flower is a glorious deep crimson, and a valuable plant both for leaf and bloom. - Ed].

Cuphea Eminens #1

Ed. Horticulturist, - In your April number, I notice a correspondent asks information in relation to the usefulness of this plant for winter-blooming.

The writer also quotes the opinion of the Flower Committee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society on the subject, and then indulges in a few remarks upon the exhibition of poorly grown specimen plants. The Canna Warscewickzii is next mentioned, and then follows an editorial note to this effect; "The flower is a glorious, deep crimson, and a valuable plant both for leaf and bloom." Which; the cuphea or canna? This description would apply justly to the latter, which is truly an acquisition both for the beauty of its foliage and blossoms and is an ornament to the greenhouse; but not at all to the former, which not only fails to answer the description in color, but is of very questionable beauty and value.

I cannot think you would for a moment recommend a plant so utterly worthless as the Cuphea Eminens. The opinion of the Flower Committee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, was by no means hastily formed, or given without due care and attention to all facts.

This Committee consists of seven amateurs, or professed florists, and no expression of opinion is ever made public in a report without first being endorsed by the whole Committee and then sanctioned by the whole Society at some regular meeting; so that any recommendation or condemnation of a plant is very likely to be correct In the present case there was not a word said in favor of Cuphea Eminens - all joined in denouncing it; and " utterly worthless " is by no means too much to say.

It may, however, be urged that at the time of the Committee's report, we had only seen it as a bedding plant. Since the publication of the April number of the Horticulturist, I have made inquiries of most of our gardeners as to its qualities as a winter-blooming plant, and all say, that though treated with every attention, it has never shown a flower, and express their determination to discard it entirely. The florist who first introduced it into our vicinity from Europe, has expressed to me his regret at having unwittingly deceived the public in such a gross manner, as ho trusted to the English description, and had never bloomed the plant himself. I might say much more, but think the above is a fair exposition of the opinion of all Boston florists. E. S. Rand, Boston, April 1,1858. Chairman of Flower Committee, Mass. Horticultural Society.

Cuphea Eminens #2

This fine plant has bloomed with us the present season in very great perfection; it makes as fine a green-house plant as can be desired. Will our friends in Boston take notice of this fact?