50 GROWING MUSKMELONS IN THE NORTH 



leys, about Norfolk, and to a greater or less extent by all gar- 

 deners about our larger cities. 



While the demands of the city markets are met doubtless 

 from the sources named, the average town, village, and country 

 homes are usually without it. It is unfortunate that country 

 grocers and fruit stands should be compelled to send to the 

 commission merchants for this delicacy. There seems to be 

 no reason why it could not be grown and oftered for sale by the 

 local gardeners and farmers, or at least enjoved by the family 

 as the product of the home garden. The melon is none too 

 good for the farmer's own family, and should he be so success- 

 ful that he has a few to spare, by putting them into the milk- 

 cart, when going to town, or in the case of the gardener, with 

 his other vegetables, there is little doubt but that he would find 

 a ready sale. 



We find that comparatively few melons are raised in this 

 state. This is, we believe, partly due to the following reasons : 



(i). Comparatively few people understand their culture. 



(2). Trouble from insects. 



(3). They do not mature early enough. 



(4). Insufficient knowledge of varieties. 



The selection of varieties seems to be one great point of 

 error. We are usually disappointed in the fruit ofiered on the 

 menus of hotels ; it is almost invariably inedible. Possibly the 

 size of the fruit may have some bearing on the subject. It is 

 quite evident at the fairs that size rather than quality is sought. 

 With the melon, more than any other fruit, increase in size 

 beyond the average is accompanied by a corresponding decrease 

 in flavor. At present, however, the markets are changing in 

 this respect, and there is a growing demand for the smaller 

 varieties, which are sold in half-bushel baskets, about sixteen 

 melons to the basket, as shown on the cover page. The ordi- 

 nary peach basket was first used, but the inarket basket with a 

 handle is rapidly displacing it. 



