In the interest of truth and caution, I cannot allow to pass unnoticed the statement by "R. F." at page 134 of the 'Gardener' for March, to the effect that I had exaggerated the difficulty experienced in many parts of the country in cultivating this admirable climber. It would be most gratifying to find that I had been mistaken in representing Tropceolum speciosum as fastidious or capricious regarding climate and soil, which have a much wider significance than locality merely; but unfortunately the mere opinion of "R. F.," founded only as it is on the narrow experience of even ten years in one locality, is not sufficient to afford me that gratification. His opinion, if it proves anything, proves only that he has been successful, which is something he may congratulate himself on; but nothing to the point at issue. I have seen too many failures in the south, and too few in the north, to doubt but that climate has something to do with it, and that it is all in favour of the north. There is nothing peculiar in "R. F.'s" treatment except the old pea-stick element, which smells of fungi - everything, in fact, but success; and it may be fairly presumed that his success would have been none the less had he dispensed with that singular bottoming.

That, however, is his own matter; and I have no wish to interfere with or call it in question, in so far as he practises it; but I feel bound to warn all who contemplate planting, that there is danger in using pea-sticks, or anything like them, for such a purpose. For the rest, "R F.'s" advice is sound enough, except in the matter of depth: 3 or 4 inches in light soils is too little - twice that depth is safer; and there is no fear of the plants not coming up, and with greater strength, too, than if planted shallower. W. S.