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VEGETABLE GARDENING 



Varieties. The variety most generally grown is 

 known as Connecticut Field, which is of large size and is 

 used mainly for feeding stock. Sugar and Cheese pump- 

 kins are varieties much grown for cooking purposes. 



MUSKMELON (Cucumis melo) 



Description. Native of the warm parts of Asia. An 

 annual. It has been cultivated from a very remote period of 

 antiquity. It resembles the cucumber in habit of growth, 

 and, like it and the squash, the different sexes of flowers 



Fig. 127. 



Muskmelons; /, California Citron; 2, White Japan; 3, Miller's 

 Cream; 4, Extra Early. 



are separate on the same plant and in nature require 

 the agency of insects to pollinize them; however, they 

 may be pollinized by hand, and the directions for pollinizing 

 cucumber flowers apply here. In quite a few cases the 

 flowers of the muskmelon are perfect, that is, have both 

 stamens and pistils; but it is likely that even in these cases 

 cross-fertilization is necessary. The seed resembles cucum- 

 ber seed in size and form. The fruit varies in shape but 

 is commonly round or oval. The flesh varies in color from 

 nearly white to deep orange. 



