Chapter XVIII. 



THE QUINCE. 



I don't know of any large quince orchards on the 

 Peninsula, but I do know that a great many trees have 

 been planted, and that the results have not been satis- 

 factory, and for this reason quince culture will be voted 

 a failure by nearly every one who has attempted it. 

 The whole, or a great part of the trouble, lies in the 

 method of treatment. I have planted during the last 

 thirteen years, probably, two hundred trees, but until 

 recently, for lack of time and opportunity, have paid 

 very little attention to them, and for this reason they 

 have not been profitable to me, and since I have looked 

 well into the matter, I see the reason and propose to 

 remedy it, and to make my past experience of avail to 

 the good of my fellow fruit-growers. My trees have 

 been worked and treated, generally, like pear trees, and 

 have thus lacked proper quince methods. 



The quince is a small deciduous tree, almost shrub- 

 like if left to nature. It is indigenous to the south of 

 Europe, and was highly esteemed by the ancient Greeks 

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