LUTHER BURBANK 



failed to blossom; hence that the experiment, quite 

 as in the cross with the Chinese quince, came to 

 no result of practical value. 



But here, again, it should be borne in mind 

 that more extensive experiments in hybridizing 

 these related species might give us a combination 

 that would be slightly less antagonistic. 



It goes without saying that a fertile hybrid be- 

 tween quince and apple or between quince and 

 pear would be a fruit of altogether exceptional 

 interest and of the most inviting possibilities. The 

 experiment of hybridizing these common fruits 

 may readily be made by the amateur, and there 

 are few simple hybridizing experiments that are 

 more attractive as to their possible results or more 

 instructive from a scientific standpoint. 

 TESTS WITH JAPANESE QUINCES 



The two remaining Oriental quinces have al- 

 ready been named as Cydonia Japonica and C. 

 maulei. It should be added that the latter is prob- 

 ably to be considered as a sub-species. Japanese 

 quinces do not bear very freely, and their fruit 

 has a great variety of forms, and is of such ex- 

 treme acidity as fully to justify Beecher's cele- 

 brated formula which, indeed, is said to have 

 been suggested by an unfortunate experience with 

 the Japanese quince. 



There is great diversity of bloom among 



[232] 



