CHAPTER XXXIII. 



MEDLARS. 



THESE are the latest gathered of our hardy fruits, and 

 sometimes pay well where they thrive. The medlar is 

 very hardy, and requires but little pruning or other 

 attention, beyond thinning out in winter. It bears as a 

 bush or pyramid after the second year. The fruit is in 

 season from October to December, and is picked a week 

 or two before it is fit for eating, when it must be stored 

 in a dry place. 



The Royal is a new sort, very highly spoken of. The 

 large Dutch and the Nottingham are good varieties 

 also. 



Medlar jelly is a delicious " conserve," not difficult to 

 make, and is often quite equal to the more famous Gruava 



Medlar trees would also do as a fence, as it is said 

 they graft readily on the " quick " or whitethorn. They 

 are seldom a profitable crop unless marketed well, free 

 from mould, if the locality is a populous one, as they 

 are, as a rule, not much appreciated at present. 



