THE QUINCE. 175 



CHAPTER XXL 

 The Quince. 



THE QUINCE (Pyrus vulgaris) is related to the Pear, and 

 belongs to the same genus. It was formerly placed in 

 another genus, Cydonia, but modern botanists include 

 it in the genus Pyrus. Its native country.^is not known, 

 but some say it is a native of Europe. It appears that 

 the ancients held the Quince in high esteem. Pliny tells 

 us that many kinds of Quinces grew in Italy in his day, 

 some of them wild ; and that the fruit was used as a 

 sovereign remedy for many complaints. 



It is probable, therefore, that the Quince was introduced 

 into this country during the Roman occupation. Anyway, 

 the fact remains that Quince trees used to grow wild in 

 the Wealds of Sussex, the fruit being gathered by the 

 natives and converted into wine. Gerarde says this fruit 

 was planted in his time in hedges and fences. Lord 

 Bacon, too, seems to have been well acquainted with the 

 fruit. Shakespeare also alludes to the fruit in " Romeo 

 and Juliet " 



" They call for dates and quinces in the pastry." 



In his time Quince marmalade was a favourite conserve. 

 Tusser also makes reference to the Quince, so that there 

 is little doubt its fruit was held in high esteem from the 

 earliest times. 



The Quince is supposed to be the " Golden Apple of 

 the Hesperides." It is a low and slow-growing tree, 

 bearing whitish or pinkish flowers in June, followed by 

 Apple or Pear-shaped fruits, of a rich golden hue when 



