Those who are supposed to know best about such matters as the writer frequently discusses in these pages are apt to dissuade lovers of floriculture, with less zeal than prompts your correspondent, from exploring the exotic wonders of plant-life, in their adopted habitats under the sashes, while the scorching, sultry atmosphere of hot July prevails. And, no doubt, many are deterred from so doing on that account and consequently miss many a pleasing scene. But as life is too short, and at best uncertain, I fully determined without further procrastination, on the 26th ult., to visit the well-known nursery and greenhouses of David Fergusson & Sons, Ridge and Lehigh avenues, Philadelphia. Alighting from the Ridge avenue passenger cars, which pass close by the nursery gate, I was at once among the many glass structures which have from time to time there risen up since it was my last privilege, years ago, to view the establishment. At that time I was accompanied by my esteemed friend, the late Mr. Fergusson, an honest man, in whom there was no guile. Happily, the honored father left the nursery in charge of his two enterprising sons - who commendably tread in their sire's footsteps.

And the same hospitable roof under which I was kindly entertained, with one exception shelters all of the same happy family.

Although it was what is usually called the dull part of the season among the followers of floriculture, yet business seemed to be brisk with them. Several of the active hands were busily engaged packing up a large order of choice roses, for a well-known nurseryman in Maryland. And of the family of Rosa, the queen of flowers, which is both numerous, healthy and beautiful - there are vast numbers grown in pots, for convenience of sniping with safety to all parts of the country, at any time or season. A large square of finely grown plants of the same kind were flourishing outside, for potting later on. These were as beautiful as roses could well be. Adjacent to the rose-house was a large forcing-house, for the culture of young grape vines of the Muscat and Black Hamburg type; and more vigorous, or cleaner grown vines would be difficult to find. As growers of foreign grape vines the Fergussons have long been famous; and as there seems to be a steady demand for good thrifty vines, it indicates the increasing favor good, luscious grapes, when grown under glass, are at present receiving.

And near to the propagating house is a fair sized grapery, showing an excellent crop of fruit, which is kept more for the purpose of growing wood for propagating the various kinds, true to name, than for the fruit produced. The native, or hardy grape vines, of which all the popular varieties are grown, seemed to vie with the foreigners for superiority of growth.

Leaving Pomona's locale, I turn again into Flora's domain, where her august presence gently hovers around, among gorgeous foliage and beautiful flowers. It will be futile to attempt to describe the marvellous effect of such a multiform as- semblage of choice plants as are here presented in the many well filled glass-houses. So I will single out but a few of the most conspicuous. And what can be more so than the regal Croton Queen Victoria? Among this superb collection C. Earl of Derby seems to be the most singular of all; then comes a group of Dracenas, with D. Goldieana and D. Guilfoylei, as principal representatives of this brilliant tribe of tropical plants. Next to describe are the peculiar foliaged Caladiums, whose rich and many colored markings are very attrac-tive. C. Chantini, with its rose and crimson banners, though somewhat old, is still as beautiful as any of its younger compeers.

Among a cabinet of exquisite leafy gems, none looked more lovely than the little Bertolonia Van Houttei, so grandly spotted. B. marmorata with its glittering golden stripes, and Sonerila margari-tacea, S. argentea, and S. Hendersonii, with its beautiful maculation and rich variegation were also good, and altogether defy my powers of delineation. And the same may be said of Fittonias, Echiteses, Anthuriums, and such-like pretty things. And similar remarks apply to the handsome Marantas, than which there is nothing more effective among remarkable foliaged plants.

Conspicuous among the many flowering plants were Gloxinias, Eucharises, Begonias, Gardenias, Abutilons, Fuchsias, Jasminums, Torenias, Pelargoniums, Petunias, double and single, of which a set of twelve were remarkably handsome. But the many interesting flowering plants with which the houses were made most pleasant to ramble through, are too numerous for special notice.

Ferns and mosses, always attractive, were as delicately beautiful and graceful as they always are. The collection of Orchids, though not so numerous, was very good. There were full ranks of noble Palms, so striking in tropical scenery, and so necessary in the decoration of the hot-house, greenhouse or conservatory. The stock (groves I might say) of thrifty Camellias, was both great and good; over which some magnificent specimens reared their shapely forms above the many thousands around. And a mass of Azaleas were equally good.

The contents of the large rose-house, in which the roses for winter forcing are planted in well prepared borders, are as healthy and vigorous as it is possible for them to be. Immense quantities of plants for bouquet and decorative purposes are grown indoors and out.

Tempted as I am to continue, I must nevertheless close the pleasing subject, and for a moment turn to sadder scenes. But a few steps from the nursery to the cemetery close by, brought me to where Mr. Robert Buist, my first patron on this side the sea, calmly rests, "after labor's long turmoil," in the narrow house of clay. As I gazed upon the green sod, where side by side, husband and wife serenely slumber, I was forcibly reminded of the past, with the poet's words:

"Sweet memory, wafted by the gentle gale, Oft up the stream of time I turn my sail;" and think of what occurred happily, or otherwise, "In the days Auld Lang Syne."

Passing by poor Fechter's resting place, who " after securing the world's applause," there " sleeps the sleep that knows no waking," I was shocked at the neglected condition of his burial lot. Rank weeds almost hid the striking bust of the late lamented dramatist, who was well favored with appreciative smiles and fragrant flowers when living and acting his part as a man and a brother.