THE QUINCE. 



Cydonia vulgaris, Dec. Rosacecc of Botanists. 



THE Quince is a tree of crooked, tortuous, rambling branches, and 

 in the usual neglected state in which it is cultivated, seldom reaches 

 a height of over fifteen feet. In rich, deep soils, however, it will 

 acquire a height of twenty-five to thirty feet. While young and in 

 the nursery, it is of rather rapid growth ; but after the trees com- 

 mence fruiting, the growth is less rapid, and is more spreading than 

 upright. The botanical name, Cydonia, is said to be from its first 

 attracting notice in the city of Cydon, Candia. The largest tree on 

 record is growing in the neighborhood of Geneva, New York, and 

 is, according to the " Horticulturist," thirty feet high, with a trunk 

 girthing six feet, and branches extending over a circle seventy-five 

 feet in circumference. In the Journal of the London Horticultural 

 Society, a variety is spoken of as existing in Persia, of which the 

 fruit acquires the weight of fifty to sixty ounces, and ripened, loses 

 all its austerity, so that it is eaten at the dessert like a soft, ripe 

 pear. No such variety has, however, yet found its way to our 

 shores, and it is somewhat doubtful if it exists. The large, pale 

 pink blossoms of the quince make it rather ornamental ; and appear- 

 ing, as they do, after other fruit trees have done blooming, it is 

 almost certain to escape late frosts, and annually produce fruit. 

 We have often wondered at the taste that cultivates carefully a bush 

 of privet or snowberry, while the quince is neglected in some secluded 

 shaded corner. 



Propagation. By Seed. The seed should be saved by cutting 

 out the cores and seeds, and laying them in a heap for a few days, 

 or until they become soft, when, rubbing in water and passing the 

 pulpy part through a sieve, leaves the seeds clear. They should 

 then be mixed with damp sand in shallow boxes, and placed in a cool 

 cellar or out-house until Spring care being taken that they do not get 

 dry, nor yet wet enough to decay, In Spring, sow thinly, in drills, 

 good, rich, deep soil, and cover about two inches deep. 



By Cuttings. These are usually taken off in Spring, early, from 

 wood of last year's growth, and are about one foot long each. The 

 buds should all be cut out, except the two upper ones, and the cut- 

 ting set erect, ten inches deep, in rich, moist, sandy soil. If ground 

 is available where moisture can be insured in Summer, without over- 

 plus in Winter, the month of September is best for making and put* 

 20 457 



