308 NEW AMERICAN ORCHAHDIST. 



space for an alley ; or allow eighteen inches' width to the 

 alleys, and three feet asunder to the rows ; and to form new 

 beds every three years, or never to suffer the bed to exist 

 over four years ; and to plant out in August in preference 

 to spring. 



LIME PLANT. (Podophyllum peltatum.) 



A hardy and singular production of nature. The stem, 

 foliage, flower, and fruit, are formed in the earth ; and after 

 the plant has come up, there is nothing more than an ex- 

 tension of parts. The stems, at the height of from eight to 

 twelve inches, branch out into two arms : at the extremity 

 of each is a large palmated leaf. From the fork proceeds 

 the fruit stem. The fruit is about the size of a large lime, 

 green while growing, and yellow when ripe ; it has the fla- 

 vor of a pine-apple, and as to eating, is little inferior to that 

 fruit. The plant requires a moist soil, in a cool, shady 

 situation. It may be propagated by seed, but best by di- 

 viding the roots, which are jointed and creeping. The 

 root is medicinal. A native of America. 



MELON. 



MUSKMELON. ( Cucumis Mela. ) 



A delicious, large, oblong or globular fruit, too generally 

 known to need a particular description. It is a native of 

 Asia, and besides its use at the dessert, it forms, while 

 young, an excellent pickle. 



VARIETIES. 



1. BLACK ROCK. Lindley. 



Very large, oblate ; yellowish skin ; flesh thick, orange 

 colored, and of an excellent flavor. 



