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plants. Owing to the heavy nature of the soil and narrow 

 limit of root extension, they begin to fruit very early and 

 heavily. But they tend to deteriorate while rather young. 

 They attain full fruiting at seven years from planting and at 

 fifteen years deterioration is nearly complete whereupon the 

 orchards are planted anew. Most Japanese growers firmly 

 believe in the old saying, that where the water stands, pears 

 thrive, hence our pear culture in rice fields. Recently, pear 

 orchards have largely been laid out on steep hillsides, at 

 several localities on the Inland Sea. 



Wild pear trees comtnonly used as stocks, " Inunashi " 

 (Pirus Calleryana), and " Tanenashi Inunasiii," its seedless 

 variety has a similar range of adaptation to the wild apples, 

 predominating in the north, north-west and central Japan; 

 " Inunashi " growing by the road-sides often bears an immense 

 crop every year. Its pips are gathered and sown to raise 

 stocks. It is unparalleled in its hardiness, health and 

 productiveness. Among the wild pears, some varieties are 

 eatable, especially the seed less variety. These wild species 

 grow largely in many parts of the Province of Rikuchu. 



QUINCES. 



'' The species of Cydonia have become naturalized sFnc'e 

 their introduction at a remote period. They were imported 

 from Cambodia through the hands of the Portuguese in Naga- 

 saki in 1634. " Marumero, " our name for Cydonia Vulgaris, 

 is derived from the same Portuguese word. Species closely 

 similar to ours also grown in Korea and North China, 



Beside these exotic kinds, we have many Cydonias as 

 Ornamentals. The edible quinces have an almost similar 

 distribution to the native apples and wild pears in our country. 

 They flourish and fruit profusely in north Japan in low 

 moist corners near farmers' dwellings. Besides, beautiful 

 specimens grow in Hokkaido and centi-al Japan. Travellei'4 



