Plagiarism by known and unknown contributors to the horticultural press has increased to an almost discreditable extent of late. Different gardeners writing on the same subjects, on which they entertain similar opinions, are very apt to express themselves in similar language, and one often sees examples of this kind. The same ideas are, indeed, now often expressed in language so nearly alike, that it smacks of "copying" at first sight, but a little closer examination soon shows that the language is the writer's own. We perused not long since, in one of the monthlies, an article entitled "Poetic Parallels," in which a large number of examples were furnished from the most eminent authors, showing how writers sometimes think and write alike, that probably never read a line of each other's productions. Burns, Scott, Longfellow, and even Shakespeare, are all unconscious plagiarists of this kind, and such examples should make us cautious in attributing blame; but after all, the real "brain-sucker" is easily detected, and the horticultural plagiarist does not appear to be an adept in the art of disguising the appropriated articles of his neighbours.

He seems to be rather a stupid type of the class, and when detected in his pilferings he generally either endeavours to extricate himself by a lame excuse that carries falsity on the face of it, or he offers no defence at all, and shows no shame. The worst sufferers by these literary pirates are not the robbed parties, but the editors of the papers, who receive their communications in the faith that they are original, only to discover, almost to a certainty, that they are probably the production of another, to whom, maybe, would have been accorded a less favourable reception - all of which is no doubt exceedingly mortifying. But editors may be easily deceived in this way, and no fault to them. An editor of one of the horticultural journals, who was bitten in this way some time back, acknowledged the fact at once and in the most courteous manner, and stated that it was impossible he or any editor could, at the present day, "read a tittle of the articles that were written," hence any nefariously disposed rogue might deceive them. The best cure is to pillory the thief well, and not to screen him by accepting his explanations when these are so manifestly untrue.

It is not long since an industrious writer was shown up, who was engaged in reproducing the chapters of another writer almost en bloc - whole pages being transferred with scarcely a word of alteration; and yet he had the audacity to write to the author to declare that it was a coincidence merely - he had never read the papers in question. This was something like a coincidence surely. Another sent a leading article to a paper, only the dates, names of places, and a few other particulars of which were his own. He made one amusing and fatal mistake, however. The real writer had described himself as living on the borders of a certain northern county; but the plagiarist, who wrote from Wales, had. missed this point, and we had the remarkable fact furnished of a man living and practising in two different parts of the country at one and the same time.

Another somewhat noted practitioner was induced to deliver a lecture on a certain horticultural topic in a town not a hundred miles from St Helens in Lancashire, and finding its way into a local paper, was discovered to have been copied in great part from one of the horticultural papers, to which it had been communicated some years before by another writer. In this case the plagiarist had not the excuse of want of experience on the subject of the lecture to plead, but chose, notwithstanding, to strut in borrowed feathers on the occasion. The probable reason was the want of the ability to describe his own practice in his own language - hence the dressing of it up in somebody else's. One of the latest devices exhibited by this fraternity, however, is to copy the writings of some one else into their memorandum-book, and put them away to pickle for a period of years, after which they come to regard them as their own. The advantages of this plan are, that the real author might die in the meantime, and at the least the copyist will merit commendation for the excellent quality of his "preserves." After all, it is a sorry business this pilfering; and the root of the evil seems to be a vain desire to make people believe you are the embodiment of all originality and ability yourself.

It is very proper and chivalrous to acknowledge the authorship of all declared opinions or practices as far as possible, and such will always stand as testimony in one's favour. He is a poor creature who imagines that either his own exclusive practice or preaching will be accepted by everybody without question, or that it will suit all cases.

If what has been stated be true, the new Alnwick Seedling Grape is likely to be one of the best looking of late Grapes - being larger than either the Alicante or Lady Downes in the berry. A good buncher when it sets well, and taking on a splendid colour; but it is not so good as either of the other two to eat - being comparatively sour even when quite ripe. We have tested fine-looking examples of it along with the other two grown beside it, and no doubt could be entertained of its more acid and less agreeable flavour.

Mr Burbidge's new book, 'Gardens of the Sun,' is out, and contains much suggestive information for the gardener; but it is practically beyond his reach - though we thought it was intended for him, as it would certainly be more useful to him than anybody else : the price is 14s. It is the publisher and not the author that arranges these matters, we suppose; but it seems a pity that cheap editions of such works cannot be provided, like Scott's Novels, Shakespeare, and other popular books. Any book that costs more than 5s. is too dear for the gardener in a general way. Burbidge's ' Cultivated Plants' has the same fault as the other - it is nearly as dear. There is hardly a book on garden literature that would be more useful to the gardener - particularly those who take an interest in hybridising and the raising of new fruits and flowers, etc.; but it is not well known amongst them. A cheap edition of the latter, that would come within the reach of young gardeners, and old ones too, is very desirable. 'Gardens of the Sun,' with its attractive title, which reminds one of some of Mayne Reid's stirring romances, will, we daresay, interest a variety of readers; but 'Cultivated Plants' can only have an interest for a certain class, and that class, as a rule, cannot afford to buy it.

Reader.