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Commercial Gardening 



MEDLARS 



The Medlar (Mespilus germanica) is more ot an ornamental than a 

 fruit tree, but its fruits sometimes find their way to market. It flourishes 

 in any good garden soil of a rich loamy character, and the plants are 

 usually raised by grafting or budding on stocks of the Quince, Pear, 

 Whitethorn, or seedling Medlar, the first two named being preferred. The 



Fig. 360<i. Medlar in Fruit 



best varieties are the Dutch or Broad-leaved, the Nottingham, the Stone- 

 less, which has no seeds, and the Royal. The fruits are allowed to remain 

 on the trees until they have been frosted a few times, after which they 

 become soft and are fit to be eaten, or made into preserves when they 

 begin to decay. If stored, they should be looked over occasionally and 

 diseased fruit should be removed (fig. 360<x). 



