THE QUINCE 245 



of a given company, the effect appears to be 

 cumulative. 



Thus opportunity is often given in later 

 generations for selections that will lead to 

 relatively rapid progress along the desired line 

 of development. 



Such was the case with the quinces. As selec- 

 tion proceeded one generation after another, the 

 tendency to improvement became more pro- 

 nounced. The new varieties already secured were 

 a very great advance upon their progenitors, but 

 there ultimately appeared a seedling that pro- 

 duced a fruit far superior even to the very good 

 ones already introduced. 



This superlative variety, which appeared as 

 the culminating product of fifteen years of selec- 

 tive breeding, was the one referred to at the be- 

 ginning of this chapter. 



Because of its peculiar flavor this new quince, 

 as already stated, was named the Pineapple. 



It is additionally remarkable for its early bear- 

 ing and the great productiveness of the trees, for 

 the large and uniform size of the fruit, which is 

 moreover exquisite in form and of a pleasing 

 light lemon yellow color, with freedom from the 

 unsightly wool common to other quinces. 



Everyone knows that the ordinary quince can- 

 not be eaten raw with any degree of satisfaction, 



