MUSKMELON 355 



specimens are fairly common, and occasionally eight to 

 ten-pound melons are harvested, but the unusually large 

 melons are generally inferior in quality. 



Greenhouse melons ripen very quickly after they have 

 attained full size. They change in color, emit a strong 

 but most agreeable perfume and separate easily from the 

 stem when they are ripe. The fruits should not be kept 

 very long in a refrigerator for this will cause them to 

 deteriorate rapidly in flavor. 



When melons are shipped they should be unusually 

 well protected with cotton, wool, excelsior, or other 

 material to prevent bruising. It is safest to use crates 

 provided with a separate receptacle for each fruit, in 

 which it can be securely packed, so that there can be no 

 bruising. 



