DAFFY DENITION #13
QUINCE: Fruit tree that lent its name to a traditional English garden sport. The game of quince is based on a wager in the late 14th century between the earl of Agway and the bishop of London as to whose gardeners could produce the first ripe quinces of the season to be made into jam for King Henry, who was very fond of the stuff. As it is played today, teams of amateur gardeners simultaneously plant specimens of the tree in barrels in the center of quince court ? a large greenhouse with seating for spectators. The object of the contest is deceptively simple: By careful pruning and the judicious use of precisely measured amounts of water, fertilizer, and plant sprays, to produce the first ripe quince weighing at least 7-1/2 ounces. Modern matches, in a practice much deplored by traditionalists, start with mature trees rather than seed and last about 200 days, compared to the four or more years of the prewar tussles. Attendance is generally spotty after the colorful opening ceremonies, but there are always a few people on hand to cry ?good wood? when a particularly well-though-out bit of pruning is executed with a nice flourish of the shears. In the final week, the betting ? not encouraged ? is stiff, the tension is high, and the stands are packed as the judges begin to apply their scales to the larger fruits. And, of course, it is difficult to convey the excitement and the sheer drama in the center quince court at Kew in late September as the head judge plucks the winning fruit, mashes it with an ironwood gavel, and declares it ?fit and worthy for His Majesty?s muffins.?
- H.B. & R.McK.
Sounds like fun to watch! Anything like this going on at Chelsea, George?
That?s all for this week, next week we will learn about how Hollyhocks help you in the garden and how Espalier began.
- Toby
