Sir, - The Coleus, raised this summer at Chiswick by Mr Bause, were this day sold by Mr Stephens, and the following is the result, as far as the biddings and names could be ascertained in the saleroom: -

1. C. Queen Victoria, very fine dark-crimson, yellow stripe; 5 plants, Mr Lee, 7 guineas.

2. C. Princess-Eoyal, much the same as No. 1, the stripe being narrower; 5 plants, Mr Turner, 15 guineas.

3. C. Princess of Wales, more purple and less yellow than the above; 1 plant, Mr Carter, 4 1/2 guineas.

4. C. Her Majesty, leaves much larger, and yellow less distinct; Mr Carter, 6 guineas.

5. C. Albert Victor, the golden border more broad, leaves blotched with purple, a good specimen; 7 plants, Downie and Co., 15 guineas.

6. C. Prince of Wales, much like No. 5 without the golden margin; 4 plants, Mr Carter, 4 guineas.

7. C. Duke of Edinburgh, lighter than the above, and almost self-coloured; 6 plants, Mr Bull, 5 guineas.

8. C. Prince Arthur, a somewhat peculiar plant, yellow ground with reddish veins; 3 plants, Mr Carter, 3 guineas.

9. Princess Beatrice, not greatly differing from No. 8; 2 plants, no name given, 5 1/2 guineas.

The plants were beautifully got up, and were much finer specimens than those of last year; but there was no great animation in the sale. There is very little chance of these, or those of last season, ever becoming serviceable as foliage plants for bedding purposes. There is as much difference in the appearance of a plant raised under glass, and one in the open ground, as there is between serge and velvet; they are very pretty toys, and give a fair allowance of amusing care and trouble to an amateur; but the advantage they will be to the "Trade," or the use they will be out of doors, has yet to be discovered. They are fine specimens of artificial production. To bring them up to a producible condition, and to keep them so, you must continue your attention; left to nature, they are always running out of beauty and out of bounds. Down South.

10th December 1868.