THE WATERMELON. 229 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



THE WATERMELON (Citrullus vulgaris). 



Ibsteque, French ; WJassr-Milons* German ; Water meloen, Dutch 

 Cocomero, Italian. 



The Watermelon was probably the melon of the Bible, 

 and, as has been incidentally stated, was known to the 

 Jews in Egypt. 



Watermelons may be more or less successfully grown 

 from Key West to New Jersey, and from as far south in 

 the interior of Florida as transportation facilities enable 

 the farmers to ship the crop profitably. Commencing 

 about May 15th, they are forwarded to the North by 

 steamships and to the North-west by rail. 



Owing to the size and nature of the fruit, it has to be 

 shipped in bulk, and, even with careful handling, in 

 transit, accidental breakages will occur; but, if the en- 

 tire crop, exclusive of losses by unavoidable causes, could 

 reach the market, none would, under favorable circum- 

 stances, pay better.* 



* The losses upon watermelons shipped to Boston have been so genera^ 

 that the subject has been discussed by the " Vegetable and Fruit Grow- 

 ers' Association," with a view to provide a remedy. G, R. McRee. Esq., 

 of Lowndes County, Georgia, one of the largest growers of melons for 

 shipment to the North, wrote to the author in September last as follows: 

 " I have almost quit shipping to Boston ou account of the heavy losses. 

 I have lost as much as fifty per cent, of some of my consignments, and 

 never expect to get off with less than twenty per cent." In December 

 last Mr. McRee wrote: " You are at liberty to use any statement from 

 me, in reference to the loss on steamers, in your forthcoming work. My 

 losses by the Boston ships have been so heavy that I have very nearly 

 quit the line. I sent only two or three consignments by it the past sea- 

 son, and these were shipped by the forwarding agent of the railroad be- 

 cause the New York ship was missed." 



LA.TEK NOTE. I am constrained by a sense of justice, to state that 

 after the above was in type, the agents called upon me, as President ot 

 the " Vegetable and Fruit Growers' Association of Chatham County," 

 and promised that at both ends of the line, with the finer ships and new 

 etaffs of officers and crews, they would endeavor to remove the cause 

 of complaint. A. O. 



