Sir, - In going through the gardens of John Blackwood, Esq., Strathtyrum, near St Andrews, I was very much struck with a figure in the flower-garden filled up with very simple materials - namely, Mangles's Variegated Geraniums pegged down, and Pansy Imperial Blue pegged down amongst it also. I said to Mr Angus, the intelligent gardener there, that I had not seen anything so striking in any flower-garden I had visited this season. Mr Angus replied, it was the bed that caught the eye of every visitor first as they came in; and, as I have said, the material was so simple, I thought it was well worth noticing in the 'Gardener.'

John Downie.

To The Editor Of The Gardener

Sir, - I would be greatly gratified if any of your readers could give me information, through the medium of the ' Gardener,' about Strawberry, var. Filbert Pine; also, whether an early or late variety. - Yours respectfully, D. M.

Having built a frame last month, and fearing the mortar would not dry quickly at so late a season, I got the inside of it plastered over with gas-tar, and have been since told that any flowers I put into it will die. Could you, or any subscriber, kindly tell me if such would be their fate. The tar was put on thinly, but has a very strong smell. A. M. A.

November 4, 1869.

[Will any correspondent give their experience of such a case? We think the tar will kill the plants - Ed].