QUINCES AND BAKIli^G PEAES. 



83 



above named, let there not be more than two ejes 

 brought above ground, and when those shoot and grow 

 five or six inches long, cut one off clean, and leave the 

 other to form the plant. This by the next autumn 

 should be three feet high. Plant them out in rows as 

 soon as the leaves are off the trees, shorten them back 

 to 18 inches, and at the end of one or two years they 

 will be ready to graft with pears for dwarf trees. If 

 for taller trees, they may be allowed to grow longer, and 

 must be left to grow tall, not shortened back. 



Quinces may be planted in orchards or gardens with 

 other fruit trees. Experienced cultivators have decided 

 that there is no danger of their injuring apples or pears 

 by crossing. 



There are four varieties. 



The sweet, or apple-shaped quince, Cydonia mali- 

 formis^ I think, is the best. A fine sort of this, ripened 

 in the climate of Constantinople, is eaten as a fruit, and 

 is much liked, although rather astringent in flavour. It 

 is very handsome, like a large, round, somewhat flattened 

 apple, and bright in colour. 



The pear-shaped quince, Cydonia oblonga, is shaped 

 like a pear, as its name denotes. It is used in pies, for 

 marmalade, &c. ; but it is not so fine in flavour as the 

 first-named sort. 



The Portugal quince, Cydonia Lusita?iica,'hears oblong 

 fruit, which turns to a fine purple when dressed. It is 

 juicy, not very harsh, is said to be best for marmalade, 

 and is the sort most favoured in England now. 



The Chinese quince, Wydonia Sinensis, bears cylin-^ 

 drical fruit, which is six inches long, but very gritty^ 

 It has borne in England, but it requires a wall. 



The apple-shaped quince is scarce, but it may be 

 obtained from good fruit-growers ; it is very superior in 

 flavour and appearance. The quince is worth growing, 

 if only on account of the size and beauty of the 

 bloom. 



About one good baking-pear tree is sufliciently useful 

 to deserve a place in every garden where room can be 

 spared for it. 



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