ON THE QUINCE 



varieties derived from the common species which 

 the Romans called Mala Cydonia, or Cydonian 

 apple, because an improved variety came to them 

 from Cydon, in Crete. From this old Roman name 

 we have for the common quince the scientific name 

 of the present time, Cydonia vulgaris. 

 First Successful Matings 



One of my earliest experiments was to cross 

 the Orange quince with the Portugal quince. 



The Orange type is generally .much more pro- 

 ductive than the Portugal, and the fruit is larger 

 and more pleasing in form, being nearly round 

 and quite smooth. It is also of a more attractive 

 color. On the other hand, the pear-shaped Portu- 

 gal quince, although having an objectionable rusty 

 coat, is of a better quality, having a very pleasing 

 flavor when cooked. 



It seemed certain that from the combination of 

 these two varieties it might be possible, by subse- 

 quent selection, to produce a quince superior to 

 either. 



Seedlings from this cross of Orange and Portu- 

 gal quinces were raised extensively for several 

 years. 



Large trees upon which to graft and test them 

 all not being available, the selected ones were set 

 out on the Sebastopol place rather closely, in rows 

 about 4^ feet apart. Although a thorough test 



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