MARTYKIA — MELON. 



333 



May, it will mature in June, and so on through the sum- 

 mer season if suceessional crops are desired, as it only 

 takes from live to six weeks to mature. The great excel- 

 lence of Lettuce consists in its freshness, and it can rarely 

 be purchased m perfect con- 

 dition ; hence, those who 

 would enjoy it in its best 

 state should raise it them- 

 selves. For early use, to be 

 ready in May, the Curled 

 Silesia and Boston Market 

 are the best; while for sum- 

 mer use the Salamander, 



New York, and Black-seed- 

 ed Simj^son (figure 123) 

 should be sown, as they 

 do not readily run to seed. 

 The Cos varieties are mainly 

 used in Europe, and are by 

 far the best flavored; but, from their tendency to run 

 to seed in our warmer climate, are but little cultivated, 

 though they miglit be safely grown in the cool weather, 

 in spring or in fall. Although usually transplanted, the 

 seed is also sown in rows, and the plants thinned out to 

 twelve inches apart. An ounce of seed of each variety 

 w^ill be ample. 



Fia;. 124. 



PARIS WHITE COS LETTUCE. 



MARTYNIA {Marty nia proboscidea). 



The unripe pods, when perfectly tender, are used for 

 pickling. They must be gathered every day or two, or 

 some will become hard and useless. Sow in open ground 

 in May, in drills two feet apart, and thin out to one foot. 



MELON, MUSK (Cucumis Blelo). 



The cultivation of the Melon is almost identical with 

 that of the Cucumber, to which reference may be made. 



