1 have been a reader of the Gardeners' Monthly for several years past. Have read with much interest the history and introduction of new plants, and especially of Begonias. We are, I might say, enthusiastic plant lovers, and when the bread and butter depend upon their successful cultivation the enthusiasm naturally increases. Our beginning was small, and for our own pleasure, but grew in time to the dignity of " Maple Grove greenhouses." The Begonias, sensible creatures, were very soon attracted to me, and by their winning ways have endeared themselves to me as a class. Such being the case, we have brought together a good collection, and our location seems specially adapted to their growth and propagation. I have experimented with all classes that we have, as regards, seed, leaf, and stem propagation, and find that they are not very choice as to the manner - they only ask for fair play. There have been notices from time to time, in the Gardeners' Monthly, of new varieties of Begonias and other plants, that I have watched for in the leading catalogues, but have not been fortunate enough to find them.

I have longed for an opportunity to know the " whys and wherefores " of this, but was not quite brave enough to "speak in meeting" until the notice in the December number of Begonia florida incomparabilis, by Geo. C. Butz.

Then I determined the world in general and the Gardeners' Monthly in particular, should know of my success in hybridizing that class of Begonias. "Others have I," but will not inflict all at once. I have not seen the Begonia referred to, but I have some fine plants of my own growing, from seeds, that are legitimate children, without doubt, of Begonia Schmidtii and Begonia semper florens alba. The bloom is white and continuous, like Schmidtii - a "wee bit" larger than Schmidtii - but not quite so large as semperflorens. The leaves are quite as large as those of semperflorens, and more closely veined. The green leaf is modified by both its parents. Plant, much more dense and dwarf than semperflorens, and a better shape and grower than Schmidtii.

They are plants worthy of a place in the blooming class of Begonias - but what can I do with them? I am "too.remote" an individual to be the originator of new plants, and I doubt if I could persuade Peter Henderson to give me a good round sum for them, and adopt them as his. grand-children. It would be a proud day for me could I see them placed beside his double Abutilon in the catalogues - they are in near proximity in our greenhouses.

I said I had not found any of the plants mentioned in the Monthly, but if it first noticed B. Bruante and Goury, I take it back. I have those; and as Mrs. R. B. Edson feelingly remarks in the October number, in regard to Gynura aurantiaca, "I feel it my solemn duty to give them a character." Said character will be sufficiently portrayed when I say that we have not had the conscience to put them in our Novelty Catalogue. When florists give such exhibitions of conscience as that, there must be good cause for it.

The plants are alike in growth - long and straggling, with now and then a forlorn-looking bloom upon the tip ends of the stalks. One is described as pink, but it is certainly a very faint tinge; no matter which has the pink bloom, but I really think they alternate. I have not done the forlorn side of their character justice - I am incapable of it, but will take my leave of them for the present.

I can sympathise with Mrs. R. B. Edson in regard to Gynura aurantiaca. The glowing descriptions given of it made me ready to overcome all obstacles in the way of obtaining it. I grew it one year, - and buried it with others of my dead hopes.

I have several other experiences equally as harrowing. Some of my " dead " are still unburied, and some still not quite ready to make " remains" of; among those was to have been a Blue Primrose, of which you may hear more at some future time. Xenia, Ohio.

[This chatty letter will be read with much interest by many who love flowers. It is particularly pleasant to know that Mrs. Bonner has been so very successful in establishing herself in business, and it affords a useful lesson to many ladies who are deciding on something to do. But we fancy that all who read her remark, that the enthusiasm in plant culture naturally increases with one's pecuniary dependence thereon, will not subscribe to that sentiment. Facts show that the most successful plant growers are among the amateur classes, who have no further interest in the work than the mere love of gardening, natural to everybody, but which they have wisely cultivated.

Another point, in regard to the introduction of new varieties, and their dissemination through the community, will attract attention. When new varieties can be easily obtained they soon cease to have any great commercial value. When there is a probability that a striking novelty will continue to be novel and striking for several years, the commercial man will take hold of it. It takes at least two or three years to work up a good trade for anything of this kind. Where new forms are easily produced, and new and perhaps better things may be introduced before one gets hardly started with the other, the florist cannot afford to take the risk. - Ed. G. M].