INFLUENCE OF THE STOCK AND GRAFT. 187 



growth, favorably* affect the grafted stock? Mr. Strong said that 

 to this question, in precisely this form, he should answer, Xo. It 

 has, however, been demonstrated that the scion does affect the 

 stock ; the variegated abutilon, it is well known, when grafted on a 

 plain stock, transmits its variegations to shoots coming out of the 

 stock below the graft. This had happened in his own experience. 



The third question : — In general, what effect as to size, flavor, and 

 shape of fruit and growth of wood do graft and stock mutually pro- 

 duce? — Mr. Strong said could not be answered very definitely. 

 As the stock imparts vigor to the scion, so a vigorous scion would 

 affect the stock. The subject is extremely interesting, and nursery- 

 men should be more careful than the}' are in the selection of stocks 

 for fruit and other trees and plants. Mr. Hale, who read a paper 

 on the cultivation of the peach at one of our meetings this season, 

 emphasized the importance of obtaining seed from healthy trees, 

 and too much care cannot be taken in this respect. 



The fourth question was, What effect as to time of ripening 

 does grafting an earh* variet}' like Clapp's Favorite into a late one 

 like the Easter Beurre, or the reverse, have? 



E. AY. Wood said that if the querist had attended some of the 

 meetings for discussion held by the Society a few years ago, he 

 would have heard the subject of the reciprocal influence of graft 

 and stock prett}* thoroughly discussed. The practice of horticul- 

 turists confirms the view that such influence exists. In double 

 working pears which will not grow directly on the quince root the 

 Vicar is found one of the best stocks. The subject has been 

 carried further in detail in some of the Western States than here. 

 The speaker thought the stock has more influence on the scion than 

 the scion on the stock. At one of the meetings referred to, Mr. 

 Edmund Hersey mentioned an instance where a very early apple 

 Tree was grafted with the Eoxbury Russet, and the fruit of the 

 grafts never could be kept later than December, although it is well 

 known as generally one of our longest keeping apples. In Sher- 

 born, where the Roxbury Russet is more extensively grown than 

 in an}' other town in the State, Baldwin trees are first set out, and 

 when large enough to take about twelve scions are grafted with the 

 Roxbury Russet. In this way it is found that a much better tree 

 can be obtained than by planting young Roxbury Russet trees 

 from the nursery. 



The subject suggested to the speaker the influence of the pollen 



