174 NEW AMERICAN ORCHARDIST. 



ting needle, so as completely to intercept the passage of 

 the sap." This insect was shown by Mr. Lowell to the late 

 Professor Peck, and in the account of the insect which was 

 soon after published in the Massachusetts Agricultural Re- 

 pository, the professor observed, that the mischievous ef- 

 fects of this insect may be observed in June and July, and 

 that the dead part of the branches should be cut off with- 

 out delay, and burnt. Mr. Lowell has stated, [New England 

 Farmer, Vol. v. p. 2,] that by steadily pursuing the system 

 of cutting off the limbs many inches below the apparent 

 injury, and burning them, the insects have been extirpated 

 from his estate. 



The account of Professor Peck was republished in the 

 New England Farmer, Vol. n. p. 42. Some writers have 

 attributed this disease to a stroke of the sun ; others at- 

 tribute it to manuring too high ; some to excessive moisture 

 at the roots, and too much pruning, which is supposed to 

 cause a surfeit and produce a stagnation. But all agree 

 that the only remedy is to saw off the limb. 



QUINCE. (Cydonia.) 



The quince tree is a spreading tree of low growth, its 

 limbs generally distorted ; the leaves are roundish or ovate, 

 entire, their petioles short; the flowers are large, pale red 

 or white ; the fruit a pome, roundish oblong or ovate; the 

 skin is downy, of a green, yellow, or orange color ; the pulp 

 firm, of a harsh, astringent, and aromatic flavor. It is 

 said to be a native of Austria, of Candia, and other parts 

 of Europe. According to Goropinus, " quinces were the 

 Golden apples of the Hesperides, and not oranges, as some 

 commentators pretend." Phillips. 



USES. 



The quince is not eaten in a raw state, but is highly es- 

 teemed in cookery ; preserved in sugar, they are delicious ; 

 but previous to being thus preserved, they should be im- 

 mersed for ten minutes in boiling water ; this prevents them 



