162 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



flammatory complaints, adds greatly to their worth. 

 Such are the qualities of the water melon ; and it is 

 much to be regretted, that their cultivation meets 

 with difficulties in this country, the plants requir- 

 ing larger frames for their rambling growth than are 

 generally used, a continual but moderate bottom 

 heat, and, above all, a regular and warm atmosphere, 

 to the height of 70 or 80. 



What is here said of this salubrious fruit, may 

 act as a stimulus to the young horticulturist to study 

 its culture, which, in the early part, is similar to 

 that of the common melon. The soil should be a 

 good light loam, not over rich. The shoots require 

 but few stoppings, after the first or second time ; air 

 is to be given occasionally, but the heat kept up as 

 high as mentioned ; and the plants must have fre- 

 quent but thin sprinklings of water. With such 

 a mode of culture, .the author succeeded, as often 

 as he attempted their cultivation. 



Description of the Sorts recommended. The 

 varieties intended to be described are but few, but 

 these few have stood the test of time, and are pro- 

 nounced good. Of these, the first upon the list is 

 the Cantaleupe, a melon the most esteemed in every 

 part of Europe. It takes the name of Cantaleupe 

 from a village within a few miles of Rome, where it 

 was grown for many centuries, and thence distri- 

 buted to different parts of the surrounding king- 

 doms. In England it is called the Rock Cantaleupe, 

 from the outer coat being full of large warts, and, 

 according to the sort and cultivation, it weighs from 

 four to ten, fifteen, or more pounds. The fruit is in 

 general round, rather flat, of a very solid substance, 



