379 



charm and fitness of this tree for the 

 waterside is well displayed. The beauty 

 of the old Quince orchards of southern 

 Europe, where the fruits hanguntilfully 

 mellowed, explains the estimation in 

 which it was held by classic writers for 

 whom the Quince stood as an emblem 

 of love and happiness, dedicated to 

 Venus and used in the adornment of 

 her temples. Its fruits were fabled as 

 the forbidden fruit of scripture, were 

 worshipped by the Greeks, and for ages 

 played a part in marriage rites, a custom 

 maintained in our own country as late as 

 1725. Travellers tell ofChinese Quinces 

 which are tender anddelicious eaten raw, 

 but the Quince of Europe is not good 

 until cooked. For ages Quince jelly and 

 marmalade have been famed, and were 

 long the only kinds known. The fruits 

 are far richer in flavour than most cook- 

 ing Pears, stewed in the same way and 

 served hot with sugar, and cream or 

 butter, or when cold if so preferred ; 

 again, for an added zest to Apple tarts 

 the Quince is most useful in countries 

 like our own, where the Apple is the 

 great winter fruit. Even when the ripe 

 fruits (which do not keep long) are gone, 

 a reserve of syrup will supply their fla- 

 vour. In America increasing quantities 

 are tinned and bottled, while in southern 

 Europe Quince pulp is made into a 

 wholesome sweetmeat called " cotog- 

 nata." The pulp, boiled with sugar or 

 honey till in a thick paste, is rolled into 

 layers and slowly dried; this is not only 

 a delicious confection but is useful as a 

 mild remedy for bilious troubles. 



The Quince is known bo- 

 tanically as Cydonia vulgaris 



from its abundance at Cydon in Crete; 

 in many parts of southern Europe it is 

 common, especially upon the rocky 

 shores of the Danube. As with many 

 cultivated trees its original home is un- 

 known, though believed to have been 

 northern Persia; it has long been natu- 

 ralised throughout the Mediterranean 

 region and is an old tree in Britain, 

 spoken of as plentiful and much es- 

 teemed as early as 1573. The neglect 

 into which the tree has fallen explains 

 why few sorts are grown, and even these 

 are perhaps less good than formerly 

 through poor cultivation. The increased 

 attention given to this tree of recent years 

 has already shown itself in new kinds, 

 while the presence of Pyrus [Cydonia) 

 Maulei—2. Japanese Quince with good 

 fruits — and the possible introduction 

 of Chinese fruiting varieties, might by 

 crossing yield important improvements 

 as to flavour and food value. There are 

 three principal kinds grown known as 

 the Apple-shaped, Pear-shaped, and 



PEAR-SHAPED (QUINCE. 



Portugal Quinces, and in addition an 

 increasing number of local -named va- 

 I rieties from different parts. 



The Apple Quince {Cydonia vul- 

 garis maliformis). — A variety with full 



