

MELON. 



Those who have their homes a little further South than Rochester, in Maryland, Delaware, 

 Virginia, and in most of our Western and all Southern States, enjoy a luxury in the Melon crop 

 of which many Northern people have but little idea. We once very much astonished some kind 

 friends in England because we preferred well ripened English Gooseberries to some Melons that 

 had been procured for our special benefit ; but which, though softer, were not much richer than 



Pumpkins. The Melon, being a plant of tropical origin, reaches perfection only in a warm tem- 

 perature, though by a little care in securing a warm, sandy soil, a sheltered, sunny position, and 

 a little skill in starting plants early, fair crops are grown in what would be considered unfavorable 

 localities. In this latitude we must give the Melon every possible advantage to secure earliness 

 and thorough ripening. The same culture as recommended for Cucumbers will insure success. 

 The striped bug is the great enemy of the Melon and other vines, and the best safeguard is gauze 

 protectors of any simple form that can be easily and cheaply made. There are two distinct 

 species of Melon in cultivation, the Musk Melon and the Water Melon. Our engravings show a 

 few of the leading varieties. MUSK MELON Fig. 1, Nutmeg; 2, WTiite Japanese; 3, Casaba; 

 4, Prolific Nutmeg. WATER MELON Fig. 5, Black Spanish; 6, Mountain Sweet; 7, Citron, 

 for preserves. 



MUSTARD. 



Young Mustard is used as a salad early in the spring, with Cress, Lettuce, and other salad 

 plants. It can be grown in hot-beds as early as desired, and in the spring, being very hardy, can 

 be sown as soon as the soil is free from frost. Sow in shallow drills, 

 and cut when a few inches in height. It grows very rapidly ; but little 

 will be needed, and several sowings should be made at intervals. For 

 a crop of seed sow in early spring, in rows, thin out the plants to six 

 inches apart, making the rows about eighteen inches apart for garden 

 culture, and for field far enough for the cultivator. The Chinese is the 

 best for Salad, and the Black-seeded is usually preferred for commerce, 

 being stronger than the WTiite ; but the White is chosen by many on account of its mildness, and 

 is the kind recommended for medicinal purposes. 



156 



