THE QUINCE. 167 



about to ripen, it is not desirable to move it to any distance, as con- 

 cussion renders it liable to decay. Pears ought always to be moved 

 from the fruit-room in the garden to the house, and kept a few days, 

 so as to ripen before they have to be used. In the fruit-room the 

 same precautions against fungus, as have been already recommended 

 in the storing of apples, should be taken by burning sulphur. 



It is essential that pears should be kept till ripe. They are in 

 perfection but a very short time, as immediately after thej' are fit for 

 use they rot. If used before they are fit, they are hard and worth- 

 less. Their juiciness is their great merit, to which the poet alludes 



when he sings : — 



" The juiey pear 

 Lies in a soft profusion, scattered round." — Thomson. 



THE QUINCE. 



Two kinds of Quince are grown with me, the common quince and 

 the Portugal (fig. 302). The latter is not only far larger, but is also a 

 better bearer and more finely flavoured. As this fruit is only required 

 for confections and to give a flavour to apple tarts, a single tree of the 



Fig. 302. — Portugal Quince, Fig. 303. — Flower of Portugal 



\ diam. Quince. 



Portugal quince will suffice for a family. Although they like to gro 

 near water they do not succeed in very wet soil, and in that situation I 

 have had trees more than ten years without their showing even a single 

 flower. Trees may be readily propagated by layers or from suckers. 

 A tree laden with the large Portugal quince is very beautiful, and its 

 large, white, prominent flowers (fig. 303) are equally ornamental. 



