THE QUINCE. 121 



THE QUINCE. 



This fruit is a native of Austria and other parts of 

 Europe, and was introduced into England at an 

 early period, from whence we probably received it. 

 They are said to have been early used in Europe for 

 hedges and fences to gardens and vineyards. The 

 medicinal properties of this fruit was at one time in 

 repute. There are two well known varieties, viz. : 

 the apple or orange, and the Portugal or pear-shaped. 

 The former, which is the best known in New Eng- 

 land, has leaves of a more ovate form, and bark of a 

 lighter color than those of the latter. They both 

 produce the finest fruit when grown in a soft moist 

 soil, and warm exposure, and can be produced by 

 cuttings in such soil. These trees, or bushes, should 

 be planted from ten to twelve feet apart, requiring 

 little pruning. They should, however, be kept free 

 from suckers, and all old decayed wood. They 

 are easily grafted under the bark in early spring, or 

 budded in August and September. The orange we 

 have considered to be earlier in its ripening, and 

 larger sized fruit than the Portugal. Mclntosh re- 

 marks that he has always observed the quince to 

 succeed the best on the alluvial banks of rivers. 

 There has been an increased attention to the culti- 

 vation of the quince, for a few years past, as a mar- 

 ket fruit. 



THE RASPBERRY. 



This fruit, which has improved greatly under cul- 

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