1882.] TRANSACTIONS. 31 



develop, not compel, eclecticism. The poultry fancier breeds 

 to a feather, — indifferent to the yield of eggs or the character of 

 the meat. The later Wamba, — son of Witless, — who is " deep 

 in the blood of Coomassie," to cite the current slang of the 

 gamblers in Fancy Stock, exults in such sanguinary pedigree and 

 finds scant merit in any whiter tongue ! You have just listened 

 to the censure visited upon the especial Rosarians of England. 

 And still, it is but a little more than a year since a list of 48 

 Hybrid Perpetual Roses was recommended by the Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society, wherein the name of the Gen. Jacque- 

 minot might be sought, in vain. Yet where will you lind its 

 superior for general cultivation, properly estimating its hardi- 

 ness, beauty, and fragrance ! 



Prove all things and hold fast to that which is good. The 

 Wilson StravJberry has its merits, — how much so ever they may 

 be denied; not the least being that it can take such good care of 

 itself. The Williams Bon ChrStien or Bartlett; — that " noble 

 Pear," as Downing terms it ; is such a general favorite that not 

 even sneers, nor the cold shoulder, have enabled the Beurre 

 d' Amanlis, or the Doyenne Boussoc to push it aside or supplant 

 it in popular esteem. 



But still, veteran Pomologists are reluctant to admit the 

 merits of the Cornice, because, forsooth ! it does not succeed 

 with themselves ; and dispute the possession of any good quali- 

 ties by the Washington, although, in the judgment of Downing, 

 it is " a beautiful American Pear of very excellent quality." 

 Take from the list of Apples, a half-dozen varieties to which no 

 one would except, and what name can you propose that will not 

 be, at once and generally, challenged ? But a few years 

 since, — and with what difficulty was the Beurre Base suffered 

 among the choicer Pears whicli this Society advised the com- 

 munity to cultivate ! It is not so many years ago that the late 

 Charles Richardson exliibited Triomphe de Gand Strawberries, 

 for six successive weeks, in this Hall, that were never since 

 equalled by the specimens of any variety, — whether you consider 

 fecundity, size, or quality. But the Triomphe became unpopular 

 as it was found that it must be grown with the sweat of the 

 brow ; and the name of its ceaseless successors is legion. Which 



