VIII 

 THE QUINCE 



{Cydonia vulgaris) 



In the past few years quince growing, as a business, 

 has not been as profitable as formerly, owing, perhaps, 

 to an oversupply of this fruit, or the abundance and 

 low price of other fruits. It is not a fruit that can 

 be used for dessert without cooking, and consequently is 

 not consumed largely — only for canning, but its aroma 

 and peculiarly agreeable flavor make it a much prized 

 fruit for preserves. As a shipping fruit, it is not so 

 valuable as for the local market, from the fact that 

 the slightest bruise or scratch disfigures it, and when 

 taken from the box or barrel, where packed with pres- 

 sure, it presents anything but a pleasing appearance, 

 but where it can be taken into market in the bushel 

 box or market basket it shows to better advantage and 

 sells at good prices. 



THE ORCHARD 



The best soil for the production of this fruit is a 

 deep, rich, moist loam; not one containing stagnant 

 water, but well drained, naturally or otherwise. Trees 

 two or three years from the root graft or cutting are 

 in the proper condition for planting. They are trained 

 in two ways, i. e., in the tree form and bush form. The 

 advantages of the tree form are that cultivation can 

 be done better and the trees present a better appearance, 

 while if the borers attack the trunk they can be easily 



