THE QUINCE. 



Cydonia vulgaris^ Dec. Rosaceoe of Botanists. 



The Quince is a tree of crooked, tortuous, rambling branches, and 

 in the usual neglected state in which it is cultivated, seldom reaches 

 a height of over fifteen feet. In rich, deep soils, however, it will 

 acquire a height of twenty-five to thirty feet. . While young and 

 in the nursery, it is of rather rapid growth; but after the trees 

 commence fruiting, the growth is less rapid, and is more spreading 

 than upright. The botanical name, Cydonia^ is said to be from its 

 first attracting notice in the city of Cydon, Candia. The largest 

 tree on record is growing in the neighborhood of Geneva, New- 

 York,- and is, according- to the "Horticulturist," thirty feet high, 

 with a trunk girthing six feet, and branches extending over a circle 

 seventy-five feet in circumference. In the Journal of the London 

 Horticultural Society, a variety is spoken of as existing in Persia, 

 of which the fruit acquires the weight of fifty to sixty ounces, and 

 ripened, loses all its austerity, so that it is oaten at the dessert like 

 a soft, ripe pear. No such variety has, however, yet found its way 

 to our shores, and it is somewhat doubtful if it exists. The large, 

 pale pink blossoms of the quince mal^e it rather ornamental ; and 

 appearing, as they do, after other fruit trees have done blooming, it 

 is almost certain to escape late frosts, and annually produce fruit. 

 We have often wondered at the taste that cultivates carefully a bush 

 of privet or snowberry, while the quince is neglected in some se- 

 cluded, shaded corner. 



Propagation. — By Seed. — The seed should be saved by cutting 

 out the cores and seeds, and laying them in a heap for a few days, 

 or until they become soft, when rubbing in water and passing the 

 pulpy part through a sieve leaves the seeds clear. They should 

 then be mixed with damp sand in shallow boxes, and placed in a 

 cool cellar or outhouse until spring — care being taken that they do 

 not get dry, nor yet wet enough to decay. In spring, sow thinly, in 

 drills, good, rich, deep soil, and cover about two inches deep. 



By Cuttings. — These are usually taken off in spring early, from 

 wood of last year's growth, and are about one foot long each. The 

 buds should all be cut out, except the two upper ones, and the 

 cutting set erect ten inches deep, in rich, moi5>t, sandy soil. If 

 ground is available where moisture can be insured in summer, 

 without overplus in winter, the month of September is best for 



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