THE MEDLAR 79 



Mention should also be made of the beauty of the medlar tree when in flower. 

 There are but three recognised varieties : — 



Dutch or Monstrous. — This has very large foliage and flowers, and produces the 

 finest fruit. The tree has a weeping habit, and is not out of place on a lawn ; it may be 

 made to form an arbour. The fruits are gathered in October and left in a cool fruit 

 room until Christmas to ripen ; they are then much esteemed. 



The Royal. — The fruits of this are not so large as those of the Dutch ; the tree has 

 smaller leaves, but as a rule bears better crops than the former. 



Nottingham. — This has quite small, brisk, well-flavoured fruits, and they are very 

 freely produced ; the tree is of upright growth, and both branches and foliage are thin. 



Medlar, The Japanese (see p. 215). 



