CHAPTER IV. 

 THE QUINCE 



The quince, like the apple and pear, reproduces itself from seed, and thereby multiplies 

 its varieties or kinds. These, however, are far less numerous than in either of the allied 

 fruits just mentioned. The tree is uniformly smaller and its branches are more dwarfish 

 and straggling. Its cultivation extends back into remote periods, and has been successively 

 cultivated by the most civilized people, and has been greatly esteemed for its fine qualities, 

 when properly preserved and cooked with sugar or honey. 



The quince for successful culture requires a rich soil and one abounding in organic matter 

 and the alkalies. It is quite necessary that it should receive much water, and hence when 

 it is planted in yards which receive the washes from the kitchen it is not only more healthy 

 and vigorous as a tree, but far more productive and profitable. Its position, too, should be 

 one where it is defended by buildings or high fences. High and cold winds injure the fruit, 

 and at the same time cause it to fall prematurely. The tree may be propagated from the 

 seed or from layers or slips. The latter is by far the most expeditious mode, besides it 

 furnishes the only mode, except grafting or budding, by which good varieties may be se- 

 cured. Only one variety will be described. 



1. APPLE QUINCE. 



Fig. i. 



Fruit of the medium size, obscurely 

 pyriform ; body wide, neck short, 

 base narrow, terminating in a stem 

 fleshy at base. The variety is per- 

 haps as valuable as any which 

 has been cultivated. 



