CHAP. XI VILLA GARDENING 291 



by limiting the plants to one stem, and permitting no other growth 

 to break but what starts away from the head. 



The Quince. — Not only is the fruit valuable for flavom-ing, 

 but the tree is well worth planting for its ornamental appearance, 

 and a specimen or two will tend to give character and variety to 

 the lawn or ornamental shrubbery. Standards, with straight 

 stout stems, 6 feet high, shoidd be selected. Propagation is by 

 cuttings or layers. The former should be taken in autumn, 6 or 

 8 inches long, and be planted in a shady border. Bury all the 

 wood, except the topmost eye, and press the soil firmly about 

 them. Mulch with old leaf-mould, or Cocoa -fibre, between the 

 rows, which shoidd be about 1 foot apart, and water in dry weather. 

 Under such treatment most of the cuttings will grow. Layers 

 will root in al)oiit a year, and may then be detached from the 

 jjarent plant. Both the layers and cuttings will require a coirrse 

 of culture and training in the nm'seiy to prepare them for final 

 removal to their permanent situation. 



Pruning. — The branches must be kept thin and regular, and 

 to this extent pruning is necessary ; but, otherwise, not much 

 knife work is required. A very small amount of annual attention 

 will suffice ; and even if nothing has to be cut out, this annual 

 overlooking when the leaves fall shoidd be given, as a stitch in 

 time saves nine. There are several varieties, but the best for 

 culinary use is the Portugal Quince. 



The Medlar. — These are not much grown ; but as they do 

 not grow to a large size, and will not, therefore, occupy much 

 space, a tree or two should be planted where variety has any value. 

 There are several varieties, but the Dutch Medlar produces the 

 largest fruit. Standard trees only should be planted, and as they 

 are not iinornamental they may occupy a position in the shrubbery, 

 ornamental plantation, or on the lawn. The fruit is not usable 

 until decay sets in, and should be allowed to hang on the trees till 

 late in autumn, and then stored for a short time. Medlars are 

 raised from seed, and the particular varieties are grafted on the 

 seedlings. 



CHAPTEPt XI 



The Gooseberry is one of the most valuable hardy fruits in every 

 sense of the word. In a green state its excellent culinary qualities 

 are well known, both as jam and as used freshly gathered from 

 the bush. When quite ripe the Gooseberry is one of the few fruits 

 which everybody likes. The climate of these islands is especially 



