i68 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



furrows, and a mottled grey-green and yellowish 

 appearance when ripe. The flesh is reddish, and the 

 flavour is excellent. A Silver variety called " argentS " 

 (fig. 51) is also much grown. Another form, Prescott 

 fond gris, is often seen in the French markets. 



The" Cantaloup" Melon was introduced from Armenia 

 to Italy about the fifteenth century, and was brought 

 into France in 1495 by Charles VIII. 



Culture. To obtain the first-early crops of Melons, 



FIG. 51. CANTALOUP SILVERY PRESCOTT. 



seeds are sown in January. The plants from these, 

 however, require frames heated with hot-water pipes 

 as well as manure, as the chief trouble during the 

 winter months is to secure as much light as possible 

 for the plants. 



The cultivation of early " Cantaloup " Melons may 

 well be recommended to those market nurserymen 

 in the British Islands who have already suitable glass- 

 houses well equipped with hot-water apparatus. 

 If seeds are sown about the middle of November, it 

 is possible to secure nice fruits (which would probably 

 command high prices) about the end of March, The 



