In your August number of the Horticlturist you pass some strictures upon the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which appearances do most certainly justify. It is proper, however, to state that the committee upon the subject of "scraping and washing trees" was appointed upon the suggestion of its chairman; that he was by courtesy allowed to print his report; that it had been laid upon the table by the society, and will itself require a very essential amount of "scraping and washing" before it will be adopted.

In regard to the report of the committee upon the award of prizes to Messrs. Hovey & Co., for the Bottom Pear and Seedling Cherry, it is also proper to say, that it is regarded by disinterested men as entirely growing out of bitter personal hostility and self-interest It is affirmed in a written protest by members of the fruit committee, who are the only proper judges, that after a trial of these fruits for five successive years, they fully merit the awards given them. They also deny the statements in the report It is untrue that the resolutions were "discussed for more than two hours," There was no discussion about it In the absence of most of the fruit committee, and the friends of justice, Mr. Hovey begged, for perhaps two hours, that he might have a week's time to bring forward facts and defend himself and the fruit committee. If the malicious act by which he was crushed down, and subsequent debate cut off by a motion to reconsider, can be called "an interesting argument," we fear for the logic and the heart of the reporter.

A committee, composed of gentlemen of high standing, has recently been appointed to reconsider the whole subject, and no doubt it will be found that the public have not been impesed upon, either by the society or its fruit committee. Public exposure of private quarrels is worse than useless; yet, one side having been given, it is but just to state that the conclusions are denied, and that the subject is by no means settled. One of the Fruit Committer, Boston, Matt.

The remark which our correspondent refers to as a stricture upon the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, was based upon the published report of a committee, which we supposed to be authentic, as it was published in the proceedings of the Society, and signed by Messrs. Wm. S. King and Sam'l Walker. We publish this letter from "One of the Fruit Committee" with pleasure, because we know him to be a man of integrity and honor, and because we are anxious to put a better face upon the matter on behalf of the Society and its most important committee. Whatever may be the real origin of this unfortunate affair, it is greatly to be regretted; but we hope to see it thoroughly cleared up. It would be a great pity if personal hostilities should be permitted to bring such a noble institution, the only one in the country possessed of ample means for doing good, into disgrace before the world, by an impeachment of the integrity of its most prominent members and committees. We regret to see it stated that the contributions to the very useful weekly exhibitions have fallen off greatly on account, as it is assumed, of this misunderstanding.

I have been much surprised, and I must say disappointed, on reading several articles or notices in the August number of the Horticulturist, on the subject of the award by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, to the Boston Pear, and Hovey's Seedling Cherry. A long time (nearly a year) has now elapsed since the award of the Committee was made public, and the superiority of these fruits established, so far as the action of one of our oldest and best esteemed Societies could give them character. Closely following this report comes Hovey & Co.'s advertisements, and from "Maine to Georgia," those who know but what they read are urged and induced to buy "the new fruits which Hovey & Co. have the pleasure of offering to amateur cultivators and the trade generally." Of course, coming with such vouchers, what could we poor people do, but buy I And now, when the stock has become stale, and unsaleable at extravaward by irregular and improper means. Now I should like to know how and when the discovery was made; and if gentlemen of the Society at their last meeting in 1858 knew a fraud had been perpetrated, why action was not had at once I must confess it seems to me the Society "is great in cowards as in knaves," and should not murmur if in future it shall be regarded as a branch of Hovey & Co. Is there any way by which we can know if our Boston Pears and HoveY'e Cherries are of any value The Committee say nothing on the-subject, and many of the amateur cultivators would like to know if the ground bestowed upon them is thrown away.

One word as to the disappointment. I think the subject one which calls for the utter rebuke of all honest horticultural journals, and I was disappointed at the very Homeopathic notice you took of it. Here is a case in which it appears on record that one of our oldest and beat horticultural societies has been controlled by, and made the tool of, a nurseryman, for self-purposes - making a strong case to prove the assertion true, that horticultural societies are designed as advertisements for nurserymen. As we both know this is not the intention of a majority of those who aim to establish such societies, the necessity for stern rebuke in all such cases becomes the more obvious.

Would it not be well to inquire if the Concord Grape is without stain in its parentage, as the company in which it makes its advent has proved so disreputable? and would not it be well to suggest the appointment of another committee to inquire! One of the Amateur Cultivator.

In relation to this matter we have a letter from a highly respectable member of the Society, one who is familiar with the doings of the Fruit Committee, taking the ground that this is more a personal quarrel than anything else. This may in a great measure be the case, and we therefore think that judgment should not be too rashly pronounced against either the-Frnit Committee or Messrs. Hovey & Co. The truth will have to be told. It is no longer matter in which the Society is interested - the public at large have become parties.