HORTICULTURE 199 



igan, Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, California, 

 and New Mexico now grow large quantities of both muskmelons 

 and watermelons. There are two well-defined varieties of musk- 

 melons, one known as the cantaloupe and the other as the nutmeg 

 melon. The former has hard rinds, and the latter is a netted type 

 with softer rinds. The best nutmeg melons are the Rocky Ford 

 melon grown in Colorado, and the Netted Gem melon grown in 

 southwestern Michigan and elsewhere. 



Muskmelons should be planted and grown in the same way as 

 watermelons. Both require light, rich, sandy soil to make their 

 best growth. 



Pumpkins are cultivated in the same way as melons but on a 

 much larger scale. They are usually planted in fields between the 

 hills of corn and will grow and do well on a variety of soils. They 

 mature in the fall and assume a rich golden hue. 



The pumpkin is said to be of tropical American origin and was 

 cultivated by the early Indians in this country in their fields of 

 corn. A great deal of pumpkin is now canned, and it forms a 

 very profitable industry. In some parts of the United States 

 pumpkins are fed to stock and are found very satisfactory for 

 this purpose. 



Squash. This is a very important and a very nutritious garden 

 vegetable which can be grown in nearly every part of our country. 

 The squash requires the same kind of culture and attention as 

 cucumbers and melons. 



Peas have been known and cultivated in Europe and Asia from 

 the earliest times. The best-known varieties are the garden peas 

 used as a vegetable and the field peas grown as forage for stock and 

 as a soil renovator. Large quantities of garden peas are canned 

 every year. 



Beans. Our common garden bean is a native of South America 

 which was carried to Europe and was then brought to America. 

 The native European bean does not do well in the United States. 

 Some of the leading varieties of our beans are the black wax, the 

 golden wax, the crystal white wax, the dwarf bush, etc. All 

 these varieties are sensitive to cold and must not be planted until 

 all danger from frost is past. Another popular variety of bean is 

 the Lima or butter bean, which is also a native of South America. 



