328 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



just as the growth is starting. This will give one good, strong 

 branch where it may be needed, instead of several weak ones. 

 Pinching off shoots which start out too vigorously, or at unde- 

 sirable points is, of course, advisable. 



Soils for the Quince. As the quince grows naturally in moist, 

 though not wet lands, many persons think it always does best 

 in springy ground or along the banks of rivulets; but though 

 moist soils are preferable to dry, such positions are not essential 

 to obtaining large crops of fine fruit. In fact, the quince, like 

 most fruit trees, prefers a well-drained location, and does best 

 on a soil which can be freely worked. It thrives when fanned 

 by the ocean breeze and does fairly well in the interior, providing 

 it has moisture in the soil, and in some situations will doubtless 

 require summer irrigation. 



VARIETIES OF THE QUINCE 



Though notably all varieties of the quince are introduced by 

 our nurserymen and carried by them in small stock, most plan- 

 tations are of the "apple" or "orange" , variety. The following 

 may be enumerated, however, as growing in this State : 



Apple or Orange. Large ; bright yellow ; the best. August and September. 



Rea's Mammoth. A very large and fine variety of the Orange quince ; a 

 strong grower and very productive. 



Smyrna. Introduced from Smyrna in 1897 by George C. Roeding of Fresno ; 

 large, lemon yellow, handsome, tender and delicious after cooking; keeps well; 

 tree a strong grower, with heavy foliage. 



Pineapple. Originated by Luther Burbank and distributed by him in 1899; 

 the result of a long effort to secure a quince which would cook tender like an 

 apple. The name comes from its flavor, which is suggestive of the pineapple. 

 Resembles Orange quince but is smoother and more globular. 



Portugal. Very large, and fine flavor, turns a fine purple or deep crimson 

 when cooked. 



The Chinese Quince. A most extraordinary fruit, oblong, of immense size, 

 often weighing from two to two and one-half pounds ; growth rapid and distinct. 



West's Mammoth. Originated by W. B. West, of Stockton, from seed received 

 from Boston in 1853 ; of the Orange quince family ; round ; clear yellow ; very 

 large; fine flavor and for the class a very good keeper. 



Champion. Fruit very large, fair and handsome ; tree very productive, sur- 

 passing any other variety in this respect ; bears abundantly when young ; flesh 

 cooks as tender as an apple, and without hard spots or cores ; flavor delicate, 

 imparting an exquisite quince taste and odor to any fruit with which it is cooked. 



