57 



Remedies. 



The skin of the quince is so tough and so well protected by its 

 velvety covering of hairs that I am of opinion it is rarely, if ever, that 

 the spores of the ripe-rot fungus make their entrance unaided. It is 

 necessary for them to have some entrance prepared for them. The 

 skin must be broken by a bruise or by the bite of some insect or animal. 

 Now, the quince has a habit of growth conducive to bruises from the 

 effect of winds. I refer to its slender branches upon which its heavy 

 fruit is often hung somewhat after the manner of a weight at the end 

 of a pendulum. If the bush be struck by a wind the et pendulum " is 

 set swinging to and fro until finally the fruit is knocked against some 

 sharp point, with the result of injuring it in precisely the manner most 

 favourable to the entrance of the ripe-rot fungus. From this habit 

 of the quince we may learn two lessons, the application of which to 

 practice will lessen the losses from the ravages of the ripe-rot fungus. 

 First, set the quince in a place free from winds. This is usually an easy 

 matter. The tree is so small that some sheltered place can easily be 

 found for it, either in some corner protected by buildings or among 

 taller growths that afford a similar protection. Second, prune the 

 quince with a view to this tendency to produce fruit at the ends of 

 slender branches, or if it be thought best to allow the tree to take its 

 own course to a larger extent, pass a few cords through the tree when 

 the fruit begins to attain the dangerous size, tying the pendulous 

 branches in such a way as to minimise the bad effects of their swaying 

 in the wind. 



The application of Bordeaux mixture to the quince is effective in 

 checking the ripe rot. The applications must be made before the rot 

 has made its appearance, and they may be made without fear that the 

 trees will be injured. Full strength 

 mixture may be applied two months 

 before ripening and again a month later. 

 It is doubtful whether this measure will 

 pay for the trouble and expense unless 

 other trees are being sprayed at the same 

 time. 



As the quince is a large fruit and, as 

 a rule, is plucked in a hard condition, it 

 may be sprayed right up to the time of 

 harvesting, it being an easy matter to 

 remove the Bordeaux mixture from the 

 fruit. This is a fact it is well to bear in 

 mind, because most of the diseases of 



,T , T .,, .-, Fig. 70. Fungus (Pleospora ?) found as- 



the quince are connected with the ripe 8oc iated with the Aitemaria of the 



fruit. quince. 



All infested quinces should be de- 

 stroyed, and it should be remembered that the ripe rots of other fruits 

 are a source of danger to the quince. This matter has been dealt with 

 under the head of " Ripe Rots." (Pp. 7-11, 18, 23.) 



