THE SECRETAKY'S PORTFOLIO. 381 



QUINCE CULTIVATION. 



The quince is rarely reckoned ornamental, and as grown in neglected clumps 

 surrounded by suckers, and with misshapen and unpruned top, there is scarcely 

 anything more unsightly. In this shape, too, it is less profitable, — the fruit is 

 not fair and not so great in quantity as where the tree is cultivated and pruned. 

 I suspect that it is ])ccause I have found quinces profitable that I think tlieni so 

 beautiful. For years a small clump in one corner of the garden has yielded 

 nic from 10 to 15 bushels atmually, and if a farmer had only a few acres in this 

 fruit, he need -wish no better or surer income. At eight feet apart each way, 

 G80 will grow on an acre, and this is close enough. I have often grown a half 

 bushel per tree, and on trees in full bearing there should be an average of at 

 least that. This would make more than 300 bushels per acre, and for years I 

 have never sold any for less than $2 a bushel, — some seasons getting $o. I do 

 not know any fruit which will yield a sure crop CA'ery year with as little labor 

 as the cpiince. The sale of the fruit is not the only profit from this crop. 

 Every year a multitude of sprouts will start up around the trees, and these may 

 be transplanted to extend the orchard. Quinces begin to bear in from three to 

 four years after planting these suckers, and every year the crop increases. 

 Thus the farmer who has made a beginning in quince growing has the material 

 iu his own hands for increasing his plantation without any expense but the 

 labor of transplanting. 



One woi'd of caution may bo needed. In some sections the quince is not 

 entirely hardy, or from some cause will not thrive well. It is always better to 

 plant a few at first, and extend the plantation as the profit seems to warrant. — 

 Pj'airie Farmer. 



PEARS FOR HOME USE. 



We are indebted to that veteran pomologist, John J. Thomas, for the fol- 

 lowing valuable article upon the above topic : 



Land-owners who plant pears extensively for market, and who understand 

 their business well enough to make such plantings turn to profit, will be likely 

 to know what months will bring the best returns, and they will therefore not need 

 much assistance in making out a market list. But there is a large multitude 

 who have given less attention to the general subject, and who desire to set out 

 a few dozen trees for their own family supply. They do not want the best 

 sorts merely, but such a selection as shall give continuous fresh fruit for as 

 long a period as may be practicable. In the Northern States, this period may 

 be easily made to extend from midsummer to midwinter, or over six months; 

 and by the possession of well-constructed and well-managed fruit rooms, the 

 time may be much prolonged. 



To assist in making such a selection for a regular succession, we give, in the 

 accompanying list of forty-six sorts (which includes nearly all the most popular 

 varieties), the time of the ripening of each in the Northern States. There will 

 be some variation in these times in different localities and under the influence 

 of varying soils, and in some instances the periods given may be slightl}' reversed 

 with those which ripen nearly together. The winter varieties will vary much 



