Ochre Point, Newport, January, 1861.

Mr, Editor:- In answer to your article headed "A Second Barnum," I would wish to make a plain statement Your "Close Observer," or Paul Pry, called late in the season, when we had disposed of all fruit, except a few withered pears, and a basket of grapes, which, once beautiful, had grown old, and was allowed gradually to go to decay. Finding, however, that it still preserved some remains of the beauty which had Induced me to have it photographed, I had bound up a broken limb, and thought nothing more about it until I read the article, which I hope will, by attracting the notice of all lovers of progress, induce you and your friends to come and judge for yourselves. What has been done once can be done again. I have now a basket which has been two months in bloom, full of rich flowers. This coming season I shall send specimens of fruits and flowers produced in this way to the Horticultural Exhibition at New York. I have now new potatoes, tomatoes, radishes, and pineapples, all in perfect order, and I send you a, sample. I am not a wit, like Mr. P., and can not answer him in his own coin.

I have, however, read that the bodies found at Pompeii fell to pieces at the touch, and the fruit which had survived its time might well crumble into dust, if he handled it half as roughly as he has handled me.

I should not discuss this matter at all, but leave my vindication to the plants, which will give him his best answer next spring, were it not that his strictures are an insult to hundreds of people who have seen what he says can not be done. The Journal of Commerce, September 3, I860, says: "Here one can easily fancy he is enjoying tropical life, for he has the heat of the tropics for the entire year, and their fruits, such as pineapples, apricots; figs, bananas, together with a great abundance of fruits of more northern climes, such as strawberries, pears, peaches, cherries, Ac. All these fruits are growing in pots." And again he says: "Some of the trees grow hanging in baskets, which I believe was original with Mr. Alfred Chamberlain." I could cite hundreds of other witnesses, but, sir, in a few months I shall produce' the fruit itself) and will agree to furnish you a basket of grapes in full bloom, in return for the responsible name of this horticultural St Thomas.

Second Barnum.

[We are very glad to have this response from Mr. Chamberlain. An explanation was due alike to himself and his friends. It will be seen elsewhere that "A Close Observer" has also brought out Dr. Norris, who insists upon his former statements. The explanation of Mr. Chamberlain sufficiently accounts for the falling of the grapes; it also leads us to the conclusion that the fruit was natural. "A Close Observer" says the berry that fell was "smashed to atoms;" from which the impression was produced that the fruit was artificial, since no natural fruit could be reduced to an atomic condition in any stage of maturity. If this was not intended, then the expression was an unfortunate one. Again, Dr. Norris says, the vines and trees are grown in pots and baskets filled with earth; "A Close Observer" says, in tin cups, filled with charcoal, sand, and water, surrounded with moss. We gather from Mr. Chamberlain's note that he grows them in the mode described by Dr. Norris. We should like to have these discrepances reconciled, and trust that Mr. C. will undertake the task. He has shown a commendable degree of self-command under pretty sharp handling, and we hope he will take up the pen again. We hope, also, that "A Close Observer" will be willing to correct any errors into which he may have fallen.

At the proper season we will accept Mr. Chamberlain's invitation, and see these things with our own eyes. He would not be likely to invite us to his place unless he felt sure of his position. The samples alluded to have not yet come to hand. - The last word had not been penned five minutes, when the box was placed on our'table. We find it to contain Strawberries, (not large, but ripe, with a good flavor,) Tomatoes, (thoroughly ripe, and good,) Radishes, (nice and crisp,)

Mustard, (with a pungency just about right,) a Cucumber, (nearly a foot long, but will be less after we get home to-night,) Potatoes, (of good size and smooth skin; but we shall know more of them when we get them in our pot,) and a handsome Pineapple, all grown in pots; but grown in any way, they would do Mr. Chamberlain great credit as a skillful gardener. As we look at this fine lot of fruits and vegetables, so rare at this season of the year, and consider how they have been grown, we feel like posting off to Newport at once. We desire to return Mr. 0. our best thanks. - Ed].

January 22, 1861

Mr. Editor:- your suggestion about testing different boilers in last Horticulturist, is just the thing. Let it be done, and we shall get at something like facts, and facts are wanted. I have a tubular boiler, which pleases me well; the size is small, but it has great power. My old gardener, an intelligent man, worked it in a very satisfactory manner, and thought it a capital thing, but considered the fire surface too large. He left me to go in business, and with my new gardener began my troubles. The second time he fired up he boiled nearly all the water out of the pipes; and this he repeated three times in the course of a week, excusing himself by saying that the boiler was a bad one, and urging me to replace it with another. I knew the boiler had been a good one, and supposed it might be still Having made myself familiar with its operation, I passed several evenings with my new man, teaching him how to work it, and now he thinks he, "never saw such a fine boiler." This confirms what you say, that a man don't always know when he has a good boiler, because he don't know how to work it. Boilers are often taken out to make room for others no better, and sometimes not so good.

Boilers are often too large or have too much fire surface, and then they give a good deal of trouble by boiling over. If there is pipe enough in a house, there are few boilers that won't keep it warm; still, some boilers are much better than others. I am content with mine. But I should like to see your suggestion for a trial of boilers carried out.

Respectfully yours, An Amateur.

[We shall do our best to have this matter put in a practical form, and bring out the "facts." Your "new man" is sot the only one who has condemned a good boiler, simply from not understanding its management. There is undoubtedly a choice in boilers, and if we all keep cool, we shall one of these days know which is best. - Ed].