48 
KOTANKAI. INDEX. 
THE JAPAN QUINCE AS A FRUIT TREE. 
liY K. Y. TEAS, DUNKEITH, INDIANA. 
T is comparatively recently that 1 have become aware ol' the fact that tin; 
Japan Quince ( Cydonia Japonica,) produced fruit of any value, or in any cou- 
jtt§H siderable quantity. I purchased a place in 18(54 that had growing three or 
1 ** “ four plants of (his Quince, of both the common scarlet, and also the pink 
flowered varieties. These plants were 9 or 10 feet high, and about 0 feet 
across the clump of shoots. Although these plants bloomed most profusely, 
they only occasionally perfected any fruit, and what little there was was very small, 
of a tough, woody texture, with a few seeds, with 
almost no llesh at all resembling a useful fruit. I 
had cultivated this plant as a flowering shrub for 
perhaps twenty years previously, without ever ex- 
pecting to see valuable fruit. Recently I have met 
with displays of the fruit which surprised me, on ac- 
count of its size and abundance, and also on ac- 
fcount of its superior quality. I have seen speci- 
mens '2 by 3 inches in diameter, with a line fleshy 
texture, abounding in a rich, aromatic juice, as tart 
and very much like a lemon, readily producing a 
jelly of the finest quality and most delightful flavor. 
The fruit when baked or stewed becomes very fine, 
and serves admirably to flavor stewed fruit, apple 
butter, &c. 
For Havoringother fruits in cooking, this variety 
of Japan Quince is well worthy of culture, and as 
a flavoring shrub, this is equal to any other variety 
that 1 have seen . 
The largest specimens yield from 50 to 100 seeds 
each, and the seedlings are recommended by some 
as a stock for dwarf Pears. I doubt, however, 
whether they will prove adapted to this use. 1 have 
a number of plants producing the finest fruit, and intend, by selecting seed from 
tin; best specimens, to make further improvements 
in the fruit. 
Mr. Mattie, a Nur- 
seryman in England, 
introduced a few 
years ago, a variety 
of Japan Quince that 
he sold under the 
name of “ Pyrus Mau- 
lei.” I cannot learn 
from descriptions 1 
have seen of this 
fruit, that it is super- 
ior to some specimens 
grown here. I hope, 
however, to fruit this 
variety also, and com- 
pare it with those I 
Flu. 186. Cydonia Japonica, rut across . li;i V6 ill TOJlcl V. I ill- 
vite the attention of others to this plant as one capable of great improvement, and 
one from which we may expect valuable results. 
Flu. 185. Cydonia Japon ica, natural .< 
Fju. 187. Cut length a' i 
[The specimens from which the above illustrations were made, was given me 
with a number of other and larger ones after the first of January. All the largest 
and finest specimens were too far decayed or withered for the artist to form a correct 
idea to make a picture from. Fig. 185 represents the fruit, natural size and form. 
Perhaps we should say these choice and ornamental shrubs are usually given in 
Nurserymen’s Catalogues as Pyrus Japonica , but the true Pyrus comprise the Apple, 
Pear, Service Berry, etc., while the Quince was named Cydonia from the first speci- 
mens obtained by Europeans; and which were popularly attributed to be natives of 
Kydon, in the island of Crete. C. Japonica was first introduced into Europe in 1815, 
— Ed. Bot. Ind.] 
