The Apples 



trees and shrubs. Malus floribunda is probably as glorious a 

 sight in bloom as any tree that ever grew. After these splendid 

 blossoms we can but marvel again at the crop of fruit that succeeds 

 them. Some of these apples are handsome and good to eat, but 

 of the various species I have seen no fruit grows larger than a 

 cherry ! 



The Pear {Pyrus communis, Linn.), also a native of Europe 

 and Asia, is a close relative of the cultivated apple, and ranks high 

 among orchard fruits. We have no native species, but numerous 

 valuable varieties have originated in this country. 



The Quince (Cydonia vulgaris, Pers.) is a dwarf tree from 

 Europe, whose hard-fleshed, apple-like fruit has been used for 

 centuries in marmalades and jellies. It is seen in old gardens 

 in the East — one or two trees are the customary number. Occa- 

 sionally one sees a quince orchard. It is an old-fashioned fruit, 

 indeed; the demand for it is small, but steady. The Japanese 

 quince, C Japonica, is a splendid flowering shrub, with inedible 

 fruit. Hedges are often seen of it, ablaze with great rose-coloured 

 flowers before the leaves are out in spring — a sight, indeed, worth 

 going miles to see. 



The Medlar {Mespilus Germanica, Linn.), a pretty tree native 

 to central Europe, is occasionally planted in gardens for the curios- 

 ity aroused by its peculiar, apple-like fruits. The core is exposed 

 at the blossom end, as if the flesh had not quite reached around it. 

 After frost has bitten them, and they have Iain all winter, these 

 medlars soften, and are not unpleasant to eat. They also are 

 made into preserves. 



291 



