176 NEW AMERICAN ORCHARDIST. 



hardy. The fruit is of good size, but is not thought equal 

 to the other varieties. There is a variety with white dou- 

 ble flowers, and another with double red flowers. 



CHINESE QUINCE. Cognassier de la China. N. Duh. 

 PI. 155. A new ornamental variety, nnlike all others. 

 This fruit is as singular as superb ; blossoms fifteen to 

 eighteen lines in diameter; of a fine rose color ,* their odor 

 that of violets ,' leaves obovate, stiff, pointed, finely serra- 

 ted, shining green above, becoming reddish in autumn, 

 downy beneath ; the fruit is oblong, truncated, regular ,- 

 the skin smooth, yellowish green ; the flesh is yellowish, 

 dry, coarse-grained, harsh, austere; its juice acid, and not 

 abundant. This fruit seldom arrives at maturity in the 

 climate of Paris. But hopes are entertained that by plant- 

 ing the seeds, new and fine varieties will be produced, 

 which will ripen in due season. 



CULTIVATION. 



The quince is raised from the seeds, from layers, and 

 from cuttings, planted in a moist soil. The valuable vari- 

 eties are propagated by grafting or inoculation, Quinces 

 are extensively used in France as stocks on which are in- 

 oculated pears. This is said to improve the quality and 

 productiveness of the Beurree or Butter Pears, especially 

 the summer and autumn kinds. But breaking or winter 

 pears are seldom or but rarely inoculated on the quince 

 stock, as they are not so much improved. 



SOIL, SITUATION, PRUNING. Quinces require a rich, 

 moist soil, and a sheltered situation. They flourish near 

 brooks and rivulets. They require little pruning, except 

 taking out old, useless wood and useless suckers; and eight 

 or ten feet asunder is a good distance. Like the apple 

 tree, they are liable to the attacks of the borer. The same 

 remedies are equally effectual. 



