THE QUINCE TREE ] 287 



The quince is propagated so readily by cuttings 

 or by suckers, that its propagation by seed, or layers, 

 or by budding or grafting is hardly ever attempted. 



Cuttings are made at any time from October to 

 March, and if well cared for in the first two or three 

 months after they have started growing in spring, not one 

 of them will fail. They are selected of any size from 

 slender twigs of one year's growth, to branches 2 or 

 3 c.m. thick, and are planted 10 c.m. deep, and straight 

 to procure a straight stem for use as stock or for 

 subsequent cultivation as a quince tree. 



Suckers are transplanted also from October to 

 March, and with ordinary care are sure to strike root. 



All sorts of quince are suitable for use as stock for 

 the pear, but the common half- wild type of quince is that 

 usually used by our gardeners as well as by continental 

 nurserymen. Quince-stock should be grafted with the 

 pear when not more than 2 or 3 c.m. in thickness, as 

 the union between the stock and the scion is then 

 more easy and thorough, and failures are proportionately 

 less frequent. There are two types of the common 

 quince, and both are used indiscriminately as stock 

 by nurserymen. The first is the so-called female quince 

 bearing rather elongated or pear-shaped fruits (Cydonia 

 piriformis Medic.), and the other is called the male 

 quince and produces fruits which are round or apple- 

 shaped (Cydonia maliformis Mill.). The quince is more 

 productive, and perhaps produces finer fruits, when 

 grafted on the hawthorn. 



Besides the two types of the common quince 

 above mentioned, both of which are fairly common in 

 our gardens, the following sorts are also cultivated 

 occasionally. 



i. QUINCE CHAMPION. The fruit is broadly top- 

 shaped, smooth, that is without irregularities or protu- 

 berances, very fragrant, yellow, and deep yellow towards 



