FRUITS 75 



1904 was Bobby, which weighed 26 dwt. 5 grains. A 

 Gooseberry Show has annually been held at the Green 

 Man Hotel, Harborne, since 1815, and a book of records 

 is published. 



MELONS 



Melons can test severely the abilities of cultivators. 

 The fruits need not be large -, indeed, the smaller-sized 

 fruits (those of about 15 ins. circumference) are often 

 the best flavoured. A fruit of 6 ins. diameter is 

 quite large enough, and with deep, melting, sweet, 

 juicy flesh and thin rind, it represents the best quality. 

 The best exhibition melons are " ripened to the day," 

 as the saying is ; which means that they are at the most 

 perfect state of ripeness for eating, aromatic, and richly 

 flavoured. The netting should be even and well finished. 

 Handsome appearance is desirable, but not essential, in 

 in melons. 



Faults. These are huge size, coarseness, insipid 

 flavour, thick rind, and little flesh. Melons ought to 

 be judged by tasting, and not merely by their aroma or 

 appearance. 



NECTARINES 



Nectarines and Peaches require to be large, firm, 

 without bruise or blemish ; colour highly developed 

 according to the variety ; with rich, juicy, melting 

 flesh, the latter as free as possible from any red 

 colouring. Size, colour, and shape ought not to be 

 encouraged or rewarded unless accompanied by good 

 flavour, but, as a general rule, large specimens are 

 generally superior in flavour to smaller examples of the 

 same variety. 



Faults. Lack of size, poor colour, hardness or over- 

 ripeness, irregularity of outline and bruises. 



