462] Q^U 1 Quickset. See Hawthohn ; Fence ; and Hedge. Quicksilver. See Mercury. QUILLS, are the large leathers plucked from the end of the wings of gecbC, crows, &:c. They are termed Jirst, seconds, and thirds, from the order in which they grow in the wing : the two last, however, are principally employed for writ- ing, on account of the larger size of their barrels. As the utilitv and value of quills, in the manufacture of pens, greatly depend on their firmness and elas- ticity, different expedients have been contrived, with a view to di- vest diem of tlicir natural .softness. "I he most simple of these, consists in thrusting the barrel into hot sand or ashes for a few moments ; after •which it is pressed almost flat, by means of a pen -knife, and then rendered round between the fingers, by the assistance of a piece of lea- ther, or woollen cloth ; with which their external roughness may be easily removed by friction. If, however, a considerable number of quills is to be hardenetl, it will be advisable to set a vessel, containing a little water and alum, over the fire : as soon as the liquor be- gins 10 boil, the barrels only must be immersed for a mi- nute, after which they may be suspended to dry. Good pens con- stitute an article vi indispensable necessity in all departments of trade, commerce, literature, Sec. Hence, it becomes an useful, if not important object, to be able t.) cut thi^m according to the most approved rules. — The reader, who is desirous of inforraaticn on this head, will find some pertinent hints in Mr. Wilkess small tract, enti- tled, The Art of Making Pens scieii-' tificoLlij, Sec. (small Svo. is. Crosby Q^UI and Leiterman) ; in which plain di- reftions are given to tl at eft"c6t, to- gether with appropriate instruc- tions for the management of the quill, pen-knife, hone, strop, and other articles, connected with the art of pen-mnkin^. QULCE-TREE, the Pi/riis Cydofiia of Lixn.eus, but which is considered by Miller, and other botanists, as a distin6t genus of fruit-trees, under the name of Cijdonia; and consists, according to them, of three exotic species, namely: 1. The oZ7o;.'oro, or Oblong-Quince, the fruit of which i« pear-shaped, and lenstheued at the base. 2. The vialifurnia, or Apple- Quince, having oval leaves, which are of a woolly texture on the lower side. 3 . The Lusitanica, or Portuguese Quince, that has obverse, oval leaves, somewhat woolly on the upper side. All these species are cultivated in Britain; though the most valu- able is the Portuguese Quince ; the pulp of which, on beint;' stewed or baked, assumes a fine purple colour, and becomes less austere than that of the others. It is propagated by layers, suckers, or cuttings ; but the la.st method only is calculated to produce the greatest abundance of delicious fruit. The cuttings ought, there- fore, to be planted early in autumn j and, if the weather be dr}-, it will be advisable to water them fre- quentiy, in order to facilitate their striking root. In the second year, they should be removed into the ninsery ; and set, at the distxincc of one fofjt from each other, in row's three feet apart. In the course of t woorthreeyears, they may belrans- p'auted to the place of their ulti- mate
