I noticed with great interest the article of Ernest Walker in October number, page 297, on " Propagating from Blindwood," especially that point made. The difference in time cuttings took to bloom. My experience is his exactly, and I was meditating this article when his confirmed me in my determination to write it. This spring 1 ventured to experiment in raising tuberoses by field culture, hoping to be benefited in many ways - lost health regained; developing one more resource to the South; and last but not least, a liberal amount of pin money. I went into it heart and soul and purchased from two sources sets to plant. I took that admirable work of Peter Henderson as my sole guide, "Garden and Farm Topics," and went in all things by rules laid down in it.

"Experience is a good teacher," and being a close and interested observer of this (to me) un-trod field I took careful note of the experiment, and to-day I feel I am so much richer for it, I want to tell my observation and see if I am correct. One party who furnished me with sets sent them very small indeed, not larger or longer than a snap bean, whilst the other sent them full as large as my fourth finger, or size of groundnut. The first I planted with many misgivings, only faintly hoping for bulbs large enough to offer in sale; second or largest I felt sure would be all my heart could desire. With good seasons and liberal culture, September 29th and 30th saw my bulbs all harvested, 30,000 of them, and I am astonished at the result.

I naturally supposed that the larger sets would produce the larger bulbs, and vice versa, the small planted, only a moderate-sized one - but I am compelled to tell the truth, I see no material difference in them on an average. The small sets have produced the most uniform bulbs, and in many cases a superior sized one, but with this great distinctive difference: - the largest sets planted are crowded with many young sets, many of them almost as large as parent set; whilst the small ones used are only sparsely furnished and those are small compared to the parent or central bulb. In fact it is sometimes difficult to distinguish bulbs from sets, they are so near same size; whilst in the small set the central bulb is bold and exceedingly well-formed. Hence, I draw this conclusion : - that the large set had so far perfected its growth, that soon after it was planted it not only began to develop" size, but to reproduce itself in sets; whilst the small one had to go on and develop to full maturity before it could produce sets. In consequence, the set had most of the nourishment to the full development of those fine bulbs, whilst the others had it only in part, the many sets around them absorbing their full share. Herein lies the good of experience.

One growing bulbs, alone for their size, I think should use extra small sets with most liberal culture; whilst those wishing both good bulbs and many sets, should make use of those farther developed, and with liberal culture. I watched anxiously to see if the larger sets used would flower ere desired, and was gratified by only 20 out of 30,000 planted doing so. A few bloomed single, whilst sets were sold me as double Pearl and Italienne. Spartanburg, S. C.

[These suggestions are undoubtedly correct. Horticulturists have long since found that a small onion set makes a better bulb than a large one; and the same law would apply here. But no one has demonstrated this so well as Mrs. Thomson in the above communication. - Ed. G. M].