The Quince. 73 



82. The leaf blight [Entomosporium macidatum) is a 

 fungous disease that is ofteu very destructive to young 

 pear seedlings. Its lirst indication is the dotting of the 

 foliage with reddish-brown spots, followed by the brown- 

 ing and falling of the leaves during summer, which causes 

 premature cessation of growth, and in severe cases totally 

 destroys the seedlings. In older trees the disease may also 

 affect the stems and fruit. 



This disease should not be confounded with the fire 

 blight (62). 



Preventive measures. The Bordeaux mixture, applied as 

 soon as the first leaves have expanded, and at intervals of 

 2 to 4 weeks until August 1st, usually prevents this dis- 

 ease. The treatments should be most frequent in damp 

 weather. 



C — THE QUIXCE 



83. The quince is an irregular-growing, shallow-rooted 

 tree or large shrub, attaining a height of 10 or 12 feet at 

 maturity. The fruit, which is firm and acid, and resem- 

 bles that of the pear in size and shape, is chiefly used for 

 preserves, marmalade, jelly, sauce, and for flavoring sauces 

 made from other fruits. The varieties, which are not nu- 

 merous, mostly mature their fruit in autumn, and the fruit 

 keeps until cold weather. 



While the quince is not an important fruit commer- 

 cially, quince orchards in favorable locations, when well 

 cared for, have generally proved profitable. 



84. Cultural range. The quince is less resistant to cold 

 than the apple or pear, and is about equally subject with 

 the pear to fire blight and leaf blight (62, 82). Its cultural 

 range is therefore narrower than that of the pear. It can- 

 not endure the winters of the northern Mississippi Valley, 



