stock for the Pear the Quince has a dwarfing tendency, and is commonly 

 used by nurserymen in raising low-growing trees. In some cases Pears 

 are also materially improved in quality when worked upon the Quince 

 stock. Seed should be sown in the autumn, covering it to the depth of 

 ;m inch. The following year plant out the young seedlings in rows thirty 

 inches apart, leaving half that space between the plants in the lines. 

 They will in the next season be ready for working, or planting out. 

 Cuttings root freely, and plants are often obtained by this means. They 

 should be planted in the latter part of the winter or early spring, leaving 

 them about a foot long, and inserting them about live inches into the 

 ground. Layering is a method by which large plants may be obtained 

 ouiekly, and it can be done at various times of the year, but early in the 

 spring is the most favourable period. Neither layers nor cuttings are 

 likely to yield such vigorous plants as seedlings, though they furnish a 

 considerable proportion of the plants that are sold, (.{rafting and budding 

 should be more generally practised, and may be done at the same periods 

 of growth as for other deciduous fruits. 



INSECTS, Fux.i, AXD DISEASES 



The Quince is liable to be attacked by the various pests that affect the 

 Apple and Pear, but rarely suffers to the same extent. Should any of 

 these evils make their appearance, full particulars respecting them and 

 modes of treatment will be found in the articles upon the Apple and 

 Pear. 



VARIETIES. 



The varieties of the Quince are not numerous, as is the case of most 

 other fruits, and the following list embraces the principal sorts : 



A tiger's. A hardy robust variety which is grown largely as a stock for 

 the Pear. Fruit medium-sized roundish, similar in shape to the Apple- 

 shaped, but smaller and greatly inferior in quality. It also ripens at a 

 later period. Tree vigorous, has large leaves, and grows late in the 

 season. 



Apple-shaped (Orawjr). This variety produces large roundish fruit 

 somewhat similar in shape to an Apple. Skin a fine golden colour. 

 Flesh strong in flavour and cooks well. Ripens a, little earlier than tin- 

 other varieties. Tree robust, hardy, bears freely, and does better in cold 

 districts than the other kinds. 



Pear-shaped (Oblong). This variety has pyriform fruit rather longer 

 than the preceding one, and is somewhat paler in colour. The fruit is 

 firmer in texture than the Apple-shaped, is not so juicy, nor so valuable 

 for culinary purposes or preserving. It ripens somewhat later, and will 

 keep better than the first-named variety. Tree vigorous and a fairly good 

 bearer. 



Portugal. This is the best variety for a mild climate, and does 

 remarkably well in most parts of Australasia. The fruit is of the largest 

 size, in shape obtuse-oval, and the skin is a bright pale yellow. Flesh 

 milder in flavour than the other kinds, and when cooked turns a fine 



