CANTALOUPE. 223 



ever the soil is favorable. The light sandy alluvials of 

 New Jersey are very favorable to their growth. There 

 are many varieties, no less than fourteen of which, the best 

 known in England, will be found enumerated under the 

 head of Melon, in the portion of this treatise relating to 

 the operations of the forcing garden. 



The old-fashioned Musk-melon, with its smooth and 

 yellow rind, slightly ribbed, although once very extensive- 

 ly cultivated, has given place to the better-flavored Nut- 

 meg, Cantaloupe, and Rock-melon, with rough rind and 

 greener and firmer flesh, and the Netted Citron. This 

 last, which derives its name from the raised net-like appear- 

 ance on its outer surface, is of an oval form. When well 

 grown, specimens will often weigh from two to five pounds. 

 The flesh is of a greenish color, firm, yet juicy, and high- 

 flavored. When in its greatest purity and perfection, it is 

 considered the best melon of its kind. 



The seed of the Cantaloupe are usually planted about 

 the first of May, when the spring frosts are no longer to be 

 apprehended, in hills or beds, about six feet apart each 

 way. In preparing the hills, the most approved way is to 

 dig out the earth about a foot deep and two wide, and fill 

 up the holes thus made with a compost consisting of a mix- 

 ture, in equal parts, of old well-rotted manure, sand, and 

 good garden soil and street dirt, where this can be had. 

 The hills may be heaped up about six inches above the 

 common level of the ground. Eight or ten seeds may be 

 put into the middle of each hill, a few inches apart, and 

 covered with about half an inch of loose earth. 



When the growth of the plants has sufficiently advanced, 

 thin out so as to leave but three or four in each hill. The 

 beds are to be kept well hoed and cleared of weeds. For 

 the purpose of strengthening the vines, gardeners recom- 



