Editor of the Horticulturist:- Dear Sir: I was induced to write to you in regard to growing fruit trees and grape-vines in moss baskets, by several articles I read in your interesting paper, and as I am one of the many who have seen this done for the first time, you will allow me to join my report to those you have already had.

A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful grounds of Hon. W. B. Lawrence, and was introduced to Mr. Chamberlain, who kindly took me to the greenhouses,' and showed me, besides some curious and rare flowers, the moss-baskets in question.

The effect was beautiful! Imagine a quantity of graceful moss-baskets hanging from the rafters, with luxuriant growth of grapes; bunches hanging (not tied) every six inches around the baskets, equal in size to those trained along the rafters and in pots. As I was expressing my astonishment that such a crop could be grown in so small a space, Mr. Chamberlain took one of them down, and placed it in my hands. I can not tell you how surprised I was to find them so extremely light.

He afterwards showed me the empty wire baskets. They were of a variety of elegant shapes, about two feet in diameter, containing a tin basin, such as those used in the country as washbasins, very shallow, about three inches and a half in depth, and not more than fifteen inches in diameter, with a few small holes in the centre, the space between the basket and the basin being filled with moss. On a table I saw some of the artificial soil which is used for the baskets: it was of a grayish color, but I do not know whether it was sand and charcoal. From what I have seen and handled, I can infer that there could be no water, except the necessary moisture contained in the soil; that "the roots were not surrounded with water," and that "in this basket there was no cup full of water," as stated by Mr. William Carmiencke.

There seems to be a prevalent idea that the moss was used as a means of nourishing the vine. Such is not the case; for it has no communication with the plant, and makes the baskets appear a great deal larger, and to contain more soil than they really do. I saw subsequently some fine specimens of Pineapples in pots, but the largest plant and the finest fruit was in a patent basket.

With an apology for taking so much of your time, I am, Sir, very respectfully your obedient servant, L. Dovilliers, M. D.

Newport, October 1st, 1861.

[We have to thank you, not only for the tone of your letter, but for a more satisfactory description of these baskets than we have yet seen. - Ed].

Mr. Mead:- Dear Sir: The excellent article of Mr. Woodward in the Horticulturist, page 277, ought to be studied at once by those who dispute so loudly the nativity of the Delaware Grape. Mr. Prince and others, the "European party," constantly assert that its foreign origin is demonstrated by its dissimilarity to the American Grape; and they point to the Isabella, Catawba, Concord, Hartford Prolific, and the wild grapes, labrusca and vulpina, with which kinds the Delaware has nothing to do.

Let them compare it with the individuals of the Vitis aestivalis, the Elsingburg, and others, and the wonderful dissimilarity is gone. Indeed, its resemblance to the Clinton is so marked, that most persons would be unable to distinguish the young shoots, buds, and leaves. The same little currant-like parasite is also found on both.

Let Mr. Prince compare the Delaware and its own species.

I think the "Summer Grape " needs more attention: do not you? Its time is admirable. It has received no systematic treatment yet for seedlings, so far as 1 know; yet it has produced the chief American Grape. Yours, New Bedford, August 10th, 1861. Aestivalis.

[We do not think you are quite on the Delaware track, but approaching it We shall have some good words for you soon. - Ed].