Fruiting Quince

Fruiting Kinds - Beside the older varieties of Quince known for generations past, there are now many improved forms. The old orange Quince, a round-shaped fruit of deep color, was long the standard American kind, but has now largely given place to Reas Mammoth, with larger fruits of tender flesh, free from the hardiness and harshness of the old Pear Quince.

A newer kind, Champion, is also grown in the States. It begins to bear very early and its fruits come a fortnight later than the Orange—a useful succession where the winter is not too early. They are apple-shaped, bright yellow, of good quality and rich color, while 18 ounces is no uncommon weight. Another good late kind much grown for the American market is Meechs Prolific.

Other American varieties little known in this country are the Fuller Quince, with large pale yellow fruits of soft flesh and fine flavor; and Van Deman, a seedling from the Portugal Quince, with handsome fruits of great size and good quality. A variety thought well of in France is De Bourgeaut, a vigorous tree with large rounded fruits of golden yellow. Nor are the new sorts confined to America, for several good ones have been found in S. Europe, such as the Lescovez Quince (from the town of that name, where it has grown for generations), an apple-shaped fruit of immense size and refined flavor, said to be the best of all for marmalade, yielding a clear jelly of rich color. The tree is of rather weak habit, with small and very dark green leaves. Another kind from the Balkans is the Bereczki Quince (also known as the Vranja, from its native place), a tree of robust growth with large leaves, very free even from a small size in its large golden fruits with a clear shining skin.

The Quince De Baden bears large pear-shaped fruits; Monstrueux de Bazine, fruits of the same shape, but nearly 2 lbs. in weight and excellent for preserves; while the Zucker or "Sugar Quince" is a smaller kind from Asia, very sweet and good for stewing. Other sorts offered by continental growers are the Maskat Quince, the Persian Quince, the Constantinople Quince, and the Angers; this last comes freely from seed, and is that most used for grafting Pears.