VARIETIES OF THE QUINCE. 29 



that of the Orange, and is beautifully flecked with len- 

 ticelles. The leaves are very broad in proportion to their 

 length, fnd of a deep shade of green. The blossoms 

 are very large. The buds have been substituted for 

 those of the rose in floral designs with happy effect. It 

 is not uncommon for one year old trees to blossom in the 

 nursery rows, and occasionally bear fruit to ripeness. 

 Such trees, after being transplanted, have uniformly 

 borne every year after, so that I could show the horti- 

 cultural wonder of fruit on every age from one to twelve 

 years. 



The fruit is obscure pyriform, very large, of a bright 

 golden yellow, exceedingly fragrant, and of high flavor. 

 The skin is of a very fine texture. The cup of the stem 

 end is very small, and often entirely wanting ; that of 

 the blossom end is not as large as in most other varieties, 

 and is less corrugated. The superiority of the fruit in 

 crates or cans has been well proved by the highest prices 

 in the home markets as well as in the large cities. 

 The time of ripening, early in October, has been found to 

 suit all classes by coming to the tradesman and consumer 

 between the earliest and latest, when the season favors 

 its highest perfection. It has weighed as high as eighteen 

 ounces on full-bearing trees, though twelve to fifteen is 

 a good size, giving seventeen fruits to the rounded peck. 



A Frenchman has this in his catalogue: " Meech's 

 Prolific. Remarkable for its productiveness, uniformity 

 in size, regularity in bearing, and superior quality. It 

 meets every requirement of a perfect quince." 



10. MISSOUKI MAMMOTH QUINCE. This variety origi- 

 nated in Massachusetts. It was carried to Ohio, and 

 from there to Kansas City, Missouri, by J. M. Slocum, 

 who sold the stock to S. C. Palmer, by whom it has been 

 disseminated. After being tested some twelve or fifteen 

 years, it was accepted with so much favor as to receive 

 the commendation of the Missouri Valley Horticultural 



