THE MZLONRY. 



(Cucurbita CitruUus) appertains to another genus, and is 

 seldom reared in this country except as a curiosity. 



Early Cantaloupe. Green Hoosainee Persian. 



Scarlet-fleshed Cantaloupe. Golden Rock. 



Beechwood. Silver Rock. 



Smooth Scarlet-fleshed. Cephalonian. 



Duke of Bedford, green-fleshed. Kassaba, green-fleshed. 



Green-fleshed Egyptian Sweet Melon of Ispahan. 



Green-fleshed Italian. Winter Grecian. 



It is important that no seeds but such as have been pro 

 cured from approved genuine specimens of the several 

 sorts should be sown. In general . the fresher or more re 

 cent that garden seeds are, the better ; but the case is dif 

 ferent with the melon. Here it is desirable that the seeds 

 should have been kept in a dry state for a year or two : 

 for it is found that plants produced from recent seeds push 

 too vigorously, sending their shoots to a great length before 

 they show a single fruit ; while those from old seeds are 

 less luxuriant in growth, but more fruitful. 



The melon succeeds best in a strong rich soil. A com 

 post, formed of two-thirds of rotted turf, and one-third of 

 old cow-dung, will be found very suitable. This should be 

 prepared for a year at least before it be employed in the 

 melon frame. 



There are generally several, perhaps three, successive 

 crops of melons raised in large gardens. It is seldom ex 

 pedient to sow before the middle or end of January, and 

 sometimes it is soon enough a month later. A seed-bed 

 capable of receiving a frame with a single sash is previously 

 prepared. This bed, composed of fermenting stable-litter, 

 should be of considerable thickness, perhaps about five 

 feet. Immediately upon its formation, the frame and sash 

 are placed on it, and they are kept close till the heat begin 



