In "Jeffreys'" pleasant critique on the Horticulturist for January, there occurs the following remarks on the design forming its frontispiece; "I don't fancy the round window perked up into the eaves of the tower front," as "the room connecting with it was not wanted." Agreeing with "Jeffreys," that the effect would be improved by the omission of this window, the fact however is, that the room connected with it was wanted, and it was precisely with the object of enlarging this room, that beauty was here made to bow to utility, in the use of a projecting dormer, instead of the sunk ones employed elsewhere in the building. I do not, still, think that the effect is, by this, materially injured. R. Morris Smith.

In a business letter from Massachusetts, an agent says that one of his subscribers has de-olined, because the Horticulturist was removed so far south! If he had been here in January, when the thermometer was many degrees below zero, he would scarcely have thought us in a southern latitude. Other agents, there and elsewhere, have largely increased their subscriptions. From Cincinnati we have the following: -

"I am glad to learn that your prospects are very satisfactory, that your subscription list is largely on the increase. I am sure it deserves to be so. Philadelphia is eminently suited as the location of the leading horticultural journal of the land. The long and extensive experience of a very large class of intelligent practical and amateur horticulturists, with ample means at command fer experimenting, and testing unsettled points; have given her an advantage over any other city of the Union. Of course these elements are essential aids to sustain and support the editor in his laborious task. With my best wishes for your success, Very respectfully, A. H. Ernst.

Editor Horticulturist #1

Dear Sir: In reference to the Delaware Grape, I want a little information. I commonly neglect giving proper attention to my vines, and as a labor-saving operation, have for some years permitted the Rose-bugs to do the needed thinning out of the crop.

Until the past year these voluntary workers have confined their ravages to just bounds; but then they were altogether too effective, except upon the Delawares. Strangely enough, (to me,) they paid no attention whatever to this Grape; and this has been the case during the three years my Delawares have yielded fruit. There was no difference in position; the same trellis sustained six sorts of Grapes, Delaware, Diana, Rebecca, To kalon, Catawba, and Isabella, and all except the first suffered. Has your attention ever been called to this peculiarity? and can this freedom from Rose-bug ravages be relied upon? and to what do you attribute it? If Rose-bugs have a chronic dislike to this Grape, it is important that it should be more generally known, and you would confer a favor on the community by some public statement concerning it.

I am anxious to know if I am to rely upon my own thinning out to prevent excessive bearing. My Delawares began bearing almost as soon as I put them in the ground, (one vine, a layer, gave me several bunches the first season, not ,less than fifty the second, and over one hundred and fifty the third,) and they keep at it with a rapidly-increasing profuseness, having borne last season an average of about one hundred and fifty bunches of well-ripened and delicious fruit I am sometimes fearful that my vines are over-burdened; and yet they have each year made a large growth of well-ripened wood. And, by the way, please tell me why the chickens so carefully select my Delawares in preference to all other Grapes, when the Rose-bugs carefully avoid them? Perhaps you think Grapes are not as good in June as in September.

Bay Ridge, L. 1. Truly yours, Geo. T. Hope.

[An instance, this, of mistaken mercy. You should have allowed the Rose-bug no quarter from the beginning, and must commence now. You can in a great measure rid yourself of them permanently by a little persistent killing; but you must be sure to kill them " dead" for they have as many lives as a cat. It is singular that your Delawares have escaped this pest, but we do not think you can rely upon such immunity. It would be curious to learn how far others have escaped, and we should be glad to have our readers give their attention to the subject during the coming season. You must, as a general thing, rely upon your own thinning out. Circumstances may occasionally regulate this matter for you, but not often. The small labor will be amply repaid. We are glad to hear that your Delawares give you such returns; the fact shows that your border was well prepared, and that your vines were not only properly planted, but well furnished with sound, healthy roots. But excessive bearing will gradually weaken them, and they will in the end die of premature old age. The vigor of youth should be regulated, and not allowed to run unchecked its rapid course.

The Rose-bug is about the most disgusting and contemptible of all insects, and is too stupid to choose between a good thing and a bad one; chickens, on the contrary, belong to a higher order, have well-regulated tastes, and always take the best they can find; though there is, after all, some difference between Grapes in June and September, especially if they happen to be Delawares! If you would save your Delawares from the chickens, plant by the side of them some kind that is better - when you can find it - Ed].