VEGETABLES 385 



start in the northern states must be secured by starting seeds 

 in hotbeds ; but in the southern states they may be sown in 

 the open field. There are two general types of muskmelon 

 cultivated : (1) those with furrowed and thick rind, called 

 " canteloupes " ; and (2) those with netted and softer rind, 

 called " nutmeg melons." Two notable races of nutmeg mel- 

 ons are the "Osage melon," developed in Michigan, and the 

 " Rocky Ford melon," developed in Colorado. The canteloupe 

 melons have a longer season, but the nutmeg melons are 

 most commonly grown in the northern states in home gardens 

 and for the early market. New Jersey is said to supply 

 one-half the muskmelon crop ; and the southern states 

 cultivate muskmelons only for the local markets. 



Watermelon. The watermelon is a native of tropical 

 Africa and has been very long in cultivation, but the United 

 States now produces a larger crop than any country in the 

 world. The watermelon develops to the greatest perfection 

 in the soil and climate of the southern states, Georgia being 

 particularly noted for producing the bulk of the crop shipped 

 to the northern states and also the choicest melons. Of 

 course in the southern states watermelons are grown as a field 

 crop, but they can be grown readily in home gardens. The 

 soil must be such that the plants can start quickly and grow 

 rapidly. 



Pumpkin and squash. These coarse trailing vines grow 

 best in corn land, and are often grown in cornfields, being 

 planted along with the corn. 



Seeds 



91. The legumes. Peas and beans are the chief represen- 

 tatives of the legume family (Leguminosae) whose seeds are 

 used as vegetables. Other familiar representatives of this 

 family are enumerated in the account of forage plants (p. 362. 

 It is evident that since peas and beans are legumes they do 

 not impoverish soil, so far as its nitrates are concerned, but 



