MEDLAR. 237 



2. Large Dutch Medlar. — This fruit is twice the 

 size of the preceding, and is more generally culti- 

 vated. It is a low, crooked-growing tree, and gene- 

 rally very prolific. It is nearly as valuable in the 

 shrubbery for its large ornamental flowers, as it is 

 in the garden for its fruit : still it has its admirers, 

 when, like the other, it is ameliorated by keeping. 



Abercrombie, it seems, advised^ that neither the 

 medlar nor quince should be planted in orchards, 

 lest it should adulterate the pear and apple blossoms. 

 This, though a needless precaution, has been no- 

 ticed With approbation by some subsequent writers, 

 but with little reason ; because, though the seeds 

 did receive a stain from the medlar (which might 

 happen) or the quince (which could not happen, as 

 they blow too late), the impregnated seeds not being 

 used, could not convey any kind of adulteration. 

 The idea is truly whimsical, as no one can rationally 

 conceive that the qualities of the growing fruit could 

 be altered by the reception of strange pollen from a 

 neighbouring tree. 



The medlar is generally propagated by grafting on 

 the common pear stock. The stocks are trained 

 standard-high ; and, when strong enough to bear a 

 graft, are worked ; or, if there be any worked pears 

 of standard-height, not w^anted for sale, they do well 

 to work medlars upon. To get the medlar to form a 

 good head, shortening the shoots for a year or two 

 with the knife is necessary, minding to encourage 

 the most upright growths. .But after the head is 



