Dear Mr. Editor, - I have been much pleased with the Grape discussion between the two doctors in the last numbers of the Horticulturist, and, at great risk to myself, step in between the combatants and proclaim they are both wrong.

Dr. Houghton was the aggressor, for he openly proclaimed that the native Grapes were unfit for table use. This was a bold assertion, doctor, and I am not surprised that the great disseminator of the Delawares should take exception to it. Now, if there is one point on which I feel competent to give an opinion, it is on the quality of the Grape. Nature has, I believe, endowed me with a particularly nice organ of taste. Whether this be a blessing or a curse I leave others to determine; but I do most unhesitatingly pronounce that Delawares, Maxatawneys, and Rebeccas are good. If the Delawares were as large in berry as the Black Hamburgh, I should think that we might seek no farther. As it is, I am afraid that it will disappoint many. As to its undoubted hardiness, there can be no question; and it is decidedly one of the greatest acquisitions the native family ever received, despite Mr. Prince. A larger and a better native Grape is the amber-colored Maxatawney, as I tasted it this autumn at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, grown, probably, in some city yard.

Whether it will be the Grape for general cultivation that the Delaware is, it is too early yet to say; although, judging from the extraordinary vigor and growth, both of my own vines as well as those of my neighbors, I think it safe to predict that it will rival, and may eclipse, the Delaware for general culture. I named Rebecca as being one of the highest flavored Grapes growing out of doors, although I am not disposed to give it the higher place accorded to either of the former. Well ripened Concord Grapes are not bad, nor are some Isabellas and Catawbas that I have eaten to be despised. Surely Dr. Houghton must be called to account.

Now we come to the other side. The advocates of the natives declare that the Exotic Grapes are only luxuries to be indulged in by the wealthy. Unfortunately, Mr. Editor, this is the too prevalent opinion, and could I hope by any feeble effort of mine to be able to eradicate it, I should feel that I had accomplished much. It will take years, I fear, to make it generally known that, with the ex ception of thinning, Black Hamburghs and the foreign vines generally, in a cold vinery, require no more care than that necessary to bring a crop of natives to a state of perfection. Let any one mention the subject of Grape growing under glass, and immediately the idea of mystery arises - visions of expensive houses costly heating apparatus, kid-gloved gardeners, mildew, thrip, red spiders, and I know not what, all rise up and completely bewilder and befog the name.

Now, Mr. Editor, I look upon it as part of your duty to disabuse the horticultural public of these ideas. Foreign Grapes can be as easily grown in cold vineries as the natives can be out of doors, with the exception of thinning the berries. Ventilation is a great bugbear with many. Mr. Saunders has given his experience that the ventilators need never be closed after the grapes have once set; and although I can not entirely agree with him, I was yet very glad to see the statement, as it helped to disprove this everlasting subject of ventilation. No two books agree on the subject, and scarcely two gardeners. Border-making is another perplexity; here are the extremists again. One puts forth the idea, all inside border; not a root to be allowed to get outside; and the next day you meet another exhibiting a nine-pound bunch from a vine with most all its roots outside of the house.

It is this wide difference in statements that precludes so many from erecting vineries; and when you tell the public that fine grapes are grown either with the roots all inside or all outside, with the ventilators always open or without any ventilation, they scarcely know what to believe. The truth is, that while the vine is so free to bestow its luscious fruit on those that give it any attention, it is not yet known what amount of restraint and strange, unnatural devices will prevent its yield.

[Our readers already know what we think in regard to the goodness of native grapes. In this connection, we only feel called upon to endorse Dr. Norris's good , taste. We have seen the Maxatawney several times, but never ripe. We esteem it a very promising grape, but have grave doubts whether it will ripen its fruit much north of Philadelphia; that, however, is a point which has yet to be determined. We have done something, and hope to do much more, to dispel the mists which surround this grape question. To grow grapes successfully in the open air and in a cold grapery requires about an equal degree of knowledge and skill, which, as we have said elsewhere, may be acquired by any person who will study the subject intelligently: without this knowledge and skill, the best results can not be obtained in either case. There are no peculiar difficulties surrounding the < subject, however, which need deter any person from making the attempt. Mildew, thrip, red spider, etc., will be the companions, more or less, of all who grow grapes, whether under glass or in the open air; these and similar evils are incidental to all kinds of plant culture, and should no more deter us from growing the grape, than the apple, the pear, or a rose.

It is right and proper that the novice should be told of these things, not, however, to frighten and discourage him, but to prepare him to battle with and subdue them. In regard to ventilation, borders, etc., there is a good deal of misapprehension, and there are also discrepancies which can be readily reconciled. We accept your suggestion, Doctor, and promise you an article on this subject. In the mean time, we say again to all who can afford it, Build a grapery. - Ed].