70 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1880. 



him, not whether the' Northumberland Fillbasket has been, but 

 if it ought to be, widely grown ? 



Again, — the same writer says, currente calamo, that " the Belle 

 de Pallua and the Hornet are also French varieties that in some 

 sections yield tine fruit, but are too uncertain to become favorites 

 in our country." How, where, and by whom was that deter- 

 mined in regard to the Hornet ? The experience, to the very 

 contrary, of (.Trimes & Meyer, of Pittsburg, Pa., was quoted by 

 your Secretary, in his latest Report ; and also the testimony of 

 Thomas Meehan to the enormous crops that he had but just seen 

 in Germantown. Your Secretary cannot yet speak with thor- 

 ough assurance : some degree of reserve becoming one in his 

 official position. But he can at least state that he is so well 

 pleased with the Hornet, so far as tested hitherto, that he has 

 enlarged his plantation of it, slightly to the restriction of other 

 approved varieties. Its history and character are described by 

 Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, who writes of it, and of another 

 variety, as follows : — 



"Boston, Feb. 22, 1880. 

 Edward W. Lincoln, Esq., 



My Dear Sir : — 



Your kind favor is in hand. In regard to the Raspberries, Hornet 

 and Souchettii Blanc (or White Transparent), I would stale that I im- 

 ported them from France, some Twenty years ago and have giovvn 

 them ever since in my giounds. They were produced from seed, by 

 Charles Sonchet, near Paris, and put in trade about the year 1855. 



The Hornet is a very strong, vigorous grower, and nearly hardy, 

 but not safe here in some winters without covering. Its fruit is of 

 the largest size, of a dark crimson color ; its flesh quite firm and good, 

 but not of the higliest chnracter. It is productive, not early, but re- 

 mains a long time in the season of ripening. 



The Souchettii Blanc, or W^hite Ttansparent, is a healthy, good 

 plant, and produces most abundantly. The color of its fruit is a very 

 pale yellow, almost white ; its form is long, thimble shape, parting 

 freely from the bush at maturity ; and, if not allowed to remain too 

 long before picking it retains its shape and makes a handsome dish. 

 Its flavor is not up to the Brinckle's Orange, but it is a very valuable 

 variety for constant supply. 



Most truly your friend, 



Marshall P. Wilder." 



The influence of the scion upon the stock, or conversely, of 

 the stock upon the scion, — is it all a dream ? Or a serious truth, 



