182 ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW-YORK 



where its roots, standing in the garden all winter, will some- 

 times germinate the succeeding spring. 



2. The Musk melon. — Of these the Persian is very tender to 

 climatic influences, and requires occasional protection all summer 

 long. The variety here known as the citron^ but corresponding 

 very nearly with the iiutmeg of Downing, is superior to all others 

 in the resistance of the chills and damps of autumn. In those 

 years when frosts hold off, the fruit of the citron retains its high 

 green color and luscious fiesh long after other green and yellow 

 varieties have declined, both in color of flesh and flavor. Such 

 has been my experience in cultivating this melon for many years, 

 in large quantities, by the side of many other varieties. The 

 improver of the sugar cane needs therefore to aim at the double 

 result — hardiness and early maturity. 



j. The question, from what land of the nativity or of the suc- 

 cessful culture of the sugar cane we should attempt its renewal 

 here, is not readily answered. The localities whence it has here- 

 tofore been derived are all too near the equator, unless we can 

 find in some of them elevated localities where it grows. We need, 

 if possible, to find it growing where the degree of heat and length 

 of season are like those of Louisiana. The most of the northern 

 limit of China extends to 38*^. A variety cultivated with success 

 at that point might be hopefully cultivated here at the corres- 

 ponding points, i. e. in Central Virginia, and Southern Indiana and 

 Illinois. Whether the recently imported Chinese sugar cane will 

 prove a tolerable substitute for the true sugar cane, and admit of 

 a profitable culture in as cool a position as that last indicated, I 

 know not, but from report, I think both probable. 



