32 



BULLETIN OF • 



Massachusetts Board of Agriculture. 



QUINCE CULTURE. 



By Pkof. F. C. Sears, Professor of Pomology, Massachusetts Agricultural College. 



The following notes on quince culture are given in response to a 

 request from the secretary of the State Board of Agriculture for some- 

 thing on the subject which might be sent out to residents of the State 

 from whom inquiries are frequently received for information as to this 

 fruit. It is not supposed that the industry will ever grow to large 

 proportions in Massachusetts. In fact, from the very nature of the 

 fruit and its uses there can never be more than a very moderate de- 

 mand for it. But as a part of the home fruit plantation, or as a modest 

 part of the commercial orchard, it is certainly deserving of more at- 

 tention than it has received in the past. In fact, even when they are 

 planted, quince trees seem to be more systematically neglected than 

 other fruits, which is certainly stating the case strongly. 



As every one knows, the quince never makes more than a large bush 

 or a very small tree, 15 feet being the extreme for height, so that they 

 may readily be included in even a small plantation of fruits. And 

 while, as ordinarily seen, the tree is straggling and unkempt, owing to 

 lack of care, yet when given a little intelligent attention, particularly 

 as to pruning, it makes an attractive little tree; and when it is in full 

 bloom very few fruit trees are more beautiful. The blossoms are large 

 and snowy white, shaded with a delicate pink, and would make an 

 attractive sight at any time, but, coming as they do, when other fruits 

 are out of bloom, they seem doubly beautiful. 



As an article of diet the quince takes a high position, and deserves 

 far more general use than it receives. Quince marmalade and quince 

 preserves recall to every one's mind his grandmother's fruit closet; 

 and while preserves are not indispensable, like flour and sugar and 

 tobacco, yet in case of unexpected guests a well-stocked fruit closet 

 brings a feeling of security. We shall have more to say on the uses of 

 the quince in a later paragraph. Just now we merely wish to establish 

 the principle that the quince is worthy of wider use than it at present 

 receives. 



