236 



MEDLAR. 



in number, compared with those enumerated in some 

 modern catalogues ; but as the author only wished 

 to recommend those which from long experience he 

 knew best worthy of cultivation, he does not fear 

 that omitting new sorts, whose merits have not yet 

 been fairly established, will be considered a defect 

 in his book. 



Speechley, in speaking of his Welbec collection, 

 consisting of seventy sorts, declared, that one-third 

 of the number were amply sufficient for every pur- 

 pose of a large domestic establishment ; and that 

 that number would comprise every quality and pro- 

 perty found in the family of the grape vine. 



SECT. XIII. 



MEDLAR. 



The medlar has been long cultivated in this king- 

 dom as an inferior fruit, though some persons prefer 

 it to those of a more luscious character; more espe- 

 cially after the pulp is in a state of decay, it being 

 too austere before this change takes place. There 

 are only two sorts. 



j . The Nottingham Medlar, — This variety rises 

 to be a middle-sized tree. The fruit are rather small, 

 but pulpy for its size ; and after becoming mature in 

 the fruit room, where it requires to be laid up for a 

 few weeks, is considered superior in flavour to the 

 Dutch variety. 



