In the Horticulturist for January of the current year there is an article on the Verbena, by J. Pentland, Baltimore, which is worthy of attention by the lovers of that flower, as it contains some hints, on their cultivation especially, which, if generally practised, there would be less occasion for complaint of the want of success in growing them. Thus far we are disposed to be complimentary; but in regard to the charges brought against European growers, and English in particular, we humbly think it wholly unprovoked, and therefore might have been spared. It seems to us to have originated in petulance, or disappointment at not being so successful in that line as to set his own, beyond all question, at the top of the list.

If it could serve a good purpose, it would not be amiss, perhaps, to have a little badinage with regard to the very "aristocratic" names European florists sometimes give their seedlings, as well as some of the same class on this side; but as all are agreed that seedlings must have some kind of names, it becomes a question of the most trivial importance as to whether they are designated by the title of lady, lord, or duke, or by belle, Mrs. or Mr. this, that, or the other thing. And we aver that European growers adopt such names, in preference to others, from the fact of their being at hand, current in their countries, and as befitting as any others which could be substituted. "Lady Palmerston" does as well for such a purpose, and sounds as euphonious, as " Mrs. Cyrus W. Field." And perhaps both, are better than "Leviathan," reminding us, as that name always does, of that nondescript creature which a grand old writer says "could not be drawn out with a hook," nor "his skin filled with barbed irons, or his head with fish-spears." Great Britain has as little brag about her as the Great Republic. And, moreover, the English growers do not intend to give offence to their American friends by sending among them plants with such names. Not by any means.

And we can tell Mr. Pentland that it is from conventional associations rather than believing that there is much in a name, that such practices obtain among them. So soon as he can raise a batch of seedlings superior to any thing yet out, he may be sure they will give him an order for his stock, utterly regardless of the names by which they may be designated, or what they may cost.

"Are we dependent upon the Europeans for all of our best Verbenas?I answer emphatically, No!" In the name of common sense, what need is there for your being so? You perhaps need not be told that America is unspeakably better adapted to the Verbena than England, - delighting as they do in a warmer climate than that country affords; and it is far more difficult to obtain seed there than here. Does not the fact that you are indebted to European growers for so many of your best varieties imply that there is "something rotten in the state of Denmark," something wrong in the way in which matters are managed here? In England, they have an approved standard for almost all florist's flowers; and seedlings generally, if considered meritorious, are submitted to the censorship of a competent person, or to a class of persons every way qualified to decide upon the merits or demerits of such. When their qualities are tested by reference to such a standard, by the most approved judges in the country, their owners are put in possession of such judgment, which, if satisfactory, is generally appended to their names in advertising'them for sale; while those which do not come out of such an ordeal with credit, and there are many such, are consigned to their "proper place." It will at once be seen that this acts as a check, on the vender, and a safeguard to the purchaser.

Hence the value of a "European opinion. " Would it not be well to have such a practice in good working order in this country? Very likely it would be the means of abridging many a florist's catalogue, "a consummation most devoutly to be wished," and sometimes prevent purchasers from being taken in. At present the most of growers seem to rely too much upon their own judgment, (in many cases as good as can be obtained,) and descant upon the merits of their own "bantlings".

" I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word".

And just because having originated with themselves, they must be good, and can not be any thing else.

With regard to the criteria by which to judge the Verbena, Mr. Pentland's are good as far as they go, "A constant bloomer, a good grower, and one that will throw its blooms above the foliage of the plant, and that will not fade when the sun shines upon it for the first time." The last point most assuredly ought to have greater weight with him in judging some of the imported varieties, of which he says, "The first sun scorches the flowers, and they give no satisfaction during the whole summer; but toward autumn, if perchance they live, there may be a few good blooms, and before we get another look at them the frost has destroyed them." Why not as well have said that such are not suited to our climate? For in this category there are likely to be many which, in the countries where they originated, with less of intense sunshine than we have here, may be as good as those which give satisfaction, and, in brilliancy and beauty of color, far superior. Such, it would seem, are those referred to by him, which, " in the spring, growing in a pot, are really splendid." There are many flowers truly beautiful in Europe, which, when brought here, are not worth growing; but how can the problem be solved as to whether such will succeed here or not without a trial 1

It may not be out of place to subjoin "Glenny's Properties of the Verbena;" and although not perfect in every respect perhaps, are nevertheless worthy of the attention of those interested in the improvement of those flowers:

1. The flower should be round, with scarcely any indentation, and no notch or serrature.

2. The petals should be thick, and flat, and bright.

3. The plant should be compact; the joints short and strong, and distinctly of a shrubby habit, or a close ground-creeper, or a climber; those which partake of all are bad.

4. The trusses of bloom should be compact, and stand out from the foliage - the flowers touching each other, but not crowding.

5. The foliage should be short, broad, bright, and enough of it to hide the stalks.

Taking this as a standard by which to judge the varieties in cultivation, it will at once be seen that a whole host of them would be consigned to oblivion, and some possessed of one or more properties would be found deficient in others; while no one in existence would be found perfect in every respect. Where is the perfect Verbena, when measured by the ideal of perfection? It has not yet found its way into Connecticut, nor yet to Baltimore. After all, there is a higher point to be reached before perfection is gained; and it would be well for all concerned, were they to strive to be first at the goal, rather than spending time pelting fellow-laborers in distant fields with bad names; or questioning the motives of those who have already done much, and are likely to do more, for the improvement of the Verbena. And we would advise all the growers of this flower to hold fast to those which are good wheresoever raised, and discard every thing inferior, regardless of names and high recommendations.

[We do not understand Mr. Pentland as objecting to our English cousins adopting lordly names for their plants, but to ourselves being too much led by them. Mr. Veitch gives a very good reason why they should adopt such names in England, and we can readily perceive the propriety of it. We do the same thing here; that is, we seek to name our plants after distinguished individuals. But the point made by Mr. Pentland is, that we patronize foreign plants to the neglect of our own; and there is a circumstance mentioned by Mr. Veitch, which, no doubt, has much to do with this, and that is the fact that plants in England have to pass the ordeal of a censorship, which indorses their character, for that climate at least, and gives us a degree of confidence in them even here. Such a censorship is much needed here, composed of persons entirely competent and honest, and altogether above being bribed. We mean to give more attention to this aspect of the case. But there is a fact bearing still more strongly on the subject, not alluded to by either party, but which they may yet bring out. Another correspondent has expressed a desire to speak on the subject, and we prefer to let him do so without furnishing him with hints.

There is something in the subject worthy of discussion. - Ed].