238 THE HOME ACRE. 



better; for while it is liable to all the insects and 

 diseases which attack the cucumber, it encounters, 

 when the fruit is mature, a more fatal enemy in the 

 predatory small boy. Choose rich, warm, but not 

 dry ground for musk-melons, make the hills six 

 feet apart each way, and treat them like cucum- 

 bers, employing an abundance of seed. As soon 

 as the plants are ready to run, thin out so as to 

 leave only four to fruit. Henderson recommends 

 Montreal Market, Hackensack, and Netted Gem. 

 Gregory: Netted Gem, Boston Pet, Bay View, 

 Sill's Hybrid, Casaba, and Ward's Nectar. He 

 also advocates a remarkable novelty known as the 

 "Banana." Harris: Early Christiana and Mon- 

 treal Market. 



Water-melons should be planted eight feet apart ; 

 but if one has not a warm, sandy soil, I do not ad- 

 vise their culture. The time of planting and man- 

 agement do not vary materially from those of the 

 musk variety. The following kinds will scarcely fail 

 to give satisfaction where they can be grown : Phin- 

 ney's Early, Black Spanish, Mammoth Iron-clad, 

 Mountain Sprout, Scaly Bark, and Cuban Queen. 



The tomato has a curious history. Native of 

 South America like the potato, it is said to have 

 been introduced into England as early as 1596. 

 Many years elapsed before it was used as food, and 

 the botanical name given to it was significant of 



