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CHAPTER XI. 



OF MEDLARS. 



Different Sorts,,,, Their Propagation and Manner of 

 Treatment, 



TThE Medlar is ranged in tlie fourth order of Linnaeus's 

 twelfth class. Icosandria Pentagynia 



The Different Sorts cultivated in this Country are^ 



The Great Medlar with bay leaves, and the Dutch Median 

 These, being the largest fruit, are generally cultivated in Eng- 

 land. There is a smaller sort, which is a variety of that called 

 the German or Dutch Medlar; the fruit is small j and the tree 

 is more frequently planted in pleasure grounds than gardens. 



The oriental sort, according to Mr. Philip Miller, is called 

 the Dwarf Cherry of Mount Ida, in Crete, where the shep- 

 herds feed upon the fruit. It is large, roundish, and of a fine 

 red colour when ripe. 



There are several species now growing in the gardens of 

 this country, that has been (introduced from North America, 

 which are very ornamental in pleasure grounds and parks, and 

 to whose fruit the deer and birds are very partial. 



They are raised from seed, or by grafting ; those who 

 wish to keep the sorts true, should propagate them by grafting 

 on their own stocks. 



The Medlar requires much the same sort of treatment as 

 the quince-tree. Cut out all the dead and cankery wood ; and, 

 when they begin to get stunted, head them down, and applj^ the 

 composition, as directed for apple-trees. 



Medlars should hang upon the tree till they begin to rot, 

 as those who are fond of this fruit never eat it till the pulp is 

 quite soft. It may be proper to observe here, that those who 

 wish to have their medlars large and fine, must keep the tree 

 thin of wood. 



As many people are fond of the fruit of the medlar, I 

 would recommend planting some trees of the large Dutch sort 



