174 THE GARDENER. [April 



it to form a straight stem, unless it be trained pretty firmly to a strong stake. If 

 a dwarf tree is wanted, it must just be allowed to grow at will ; but if a stem of, 

 say, 2 or 3 feet is wanted, it must be attended to until the stem is formed, after 

 which the management is just the same in either dwarf or standard. At the end 

 of the first season the shoot from which the future tree is to grow should be cut 

 back to 15 inches, if a dwarf tree is wanted. From this there will several shoots 

 proceed on the following year, which shoiild again be allowed to grow at will till 

 pruniug-time in winter, at which period they may all be removed, except three 

 or four, which may remain, and be cut back to lengths of 1 foot to 1 4 foot accord- 

 ing to the strength of each. Year after year the same course may be pursued 

 until the tree is thoroughly formed, taking care at all times to prevent crowding 

 of wood, or the crossing of branches over one another — which is a thing very 

 likely to occur in such a crooked -growing tree as the Quince. The soil best suited 

 for the Quince is a light, rich, and a naturally moist one, although it will succeed 

 in almost any soil, except heavy clays and dry sandy soils. The best position for 

 the Quince is in the orchard, and if a sheltered corner with an exposure to any 

 point from south-east to south-west can be obtained, there is not much fear of 

 success. In very cold and uncongenial districts, it might find a place upon the 

 wall, where it may just be trained as recommended for the Pear in the volume of 

 the ' Gardener' for 1869. 



The insect enemies of the Quince are the same as we find attacking the Pear, 

 and as they have received their due share of attention when speaking of that fruit 

 in the volume for 1869 already referred to, there is no need to repeat what was 

 then said. The only disease to which the Quince is liable — and that very seldom 

 — is the Pvhizoctonia mali, which is a fungus that sometimes attacks the roots. 

 Unless it should increase to an alarming extent, it will not accomplish a vast 

 amount of evil. In such a case, however, the best plan is to grub up the trees 

 at once. If the trees are young they may be lifted, and, after having all the soil 

 shaken from the roots, may be dipped in a strong solution of lime-water, and in 

 a few minutes be washed in clean water and planted into fresh soil. 



THE MEDLAR. 



The Medlar is another of those fruits not very generally cultivated, and not very 

 popular, except with those who have acquired a taste for it. It is of a peculiar 

 habit of growth — very twisting and spreading, and not attaining to any great 

 height. The largest trees we have seen were not more than 12 feet high, and it 

 is seldom that it attains even this height. The fruit is quite unfit to eat — being 

 hard and very acid — until it begins to decay. The flavour is then slightly acid 

 and astringent, and is eaten raw by those who love it. It is sometimes pre- 

 served with sugar, but does not make the best of jelly. 



There are several varieties of the medlar in cultivation, but the following four 

 are the best, and are arranged in the oider of their quality. The first and best 

 is the ]\Ionstrous Medlar, which combines the flavour of the Nottingham with the 

 size of the Dutch Medlar, and is a very abundant bearer. Next in order is the 

 Nottingham, which is a small but highly-flavoured variety, and is perhaps the most 

 generally grown of all. It is more upright in its habit of growth than the rest, 

 and consequently is not so grotesque in its general appearance. The next in 

 point of quality is the Dutch Medlar, which is larger in size than the last-named 

 variety, but not nearly so high in flavour. The fruit of this variety more 

 resembles an Apple with a very large eye than any of the others. The last variety 

 we shall name is the Stoneless, which is very small and obovate, without stones, of 

 a russet-brown colour, and not any larger than a common Gooseberry. It is not 



