In the interesting article on "Winter Bedding" in your last number, I observe "Daphne cneorum " is recommended for that purpose. Allow me to protest against such an abuse of this plant: it hates being meddled with, and particularly at this season. Although its dwarfness might tempt the employment of it for edgings, its habit is quite unsuitable for that purpose, and I venture to assert that a permanent place, in a not prominent bed, where it can have the peat it loves, and be left undisturbed, and with room to layer it, is its right place; and for winter work, plants less scarce than this delicious old Daphne has become, should be used.

Again I have failed to see or hear of "Skimmia Japonica " keeping on its berries during the winter, either in England or Scotland; and to all my inquiries the same answer is invariably given, that they drop off. Tor a winter drawing-room plant it is invaluable, better in severe frost than "Ardesia crenulata " and other stove berried plants, and having its fragrant flower-spikes at the same time as its berries.

I wish more amateurs were in the position to consider 18s. per dozen cheap; but even if the beautiful Betinosporas were down to 4s. per dozen (the orthodox price for either strictly winter or summer bedding plants), it remains to be proved that they are thoroughly hardy. In this neighbourhood, although so near the sea [nearness to the sea is a disadvantage to many plants. - Ed.], they are soon spoilt, if not protected; and spruce branches and bits of mat are inadmissible in flowerbeds, where the object should be perfection for the particular season they are planned for: therefore, keen advocate though I am for winter-gardens, variety, and experiments, yet still I think it would be rash for the amateur to plunge into dozens of these lovely Coniferae, which are still expensive, and not proved.

I believe I am correct in stating that no variety of Box was injured in the severe winter of 1860-61 (the seven sorts here in the winter-beds were quite unhurt that season): they are the most patient tribe of shrubs, and bear knocking about, owing to their matted compact roots. There is great variety in their growth, erect, round, and weeping, gold and silver variegation, and their small leaves are a great point for winter. We all know the effects of sun after severe frost on the young shoots of Portugal and other Laurels even in ordinary winters, and yet these (when small) unpicturesque evergreens are recommended, as likewise Bhododendrons, for their foliage, and the Box tribe is not named.

Referring to my memoranda, I find it is very seldom we have the Laurestinus two years in succession fine. We have large bushes, which by February are pretty with their pink buds, and a mass of white later in the spring; but to trust to young plants flowering in the winter-beds has been always an utter disappointment. I don't think in this country the Laurestinus nor the Niger varieties of the Christmas Eose are used enough for entrance-halls, corridors, and cold positions. The slightest protection insures the enjoyment of their flowers, and they both pot up well, and stand very long in the house.

If room is found in the next number of the ' Gardener' for these remarks, I beg to say I make them with no love of carping or fault-finding, but from the honest wish that amateurs - who are much given to follow in a line like sheep, and with whom seeing is the rule and really observing the exception - should seize hold of certainties and not risk disappointments. Few amateurs persist after one season's loss with a plan or plant; and notwithstanding winter and spring bedding has now got a firm and wholesome hold of the public mind, it is not the many, but the few, who can persevere under failures.

Wardie Lodge, November 1873. F. J. Hope.