MELON. 165 



branches of birch are recommended in preference 

 to mats; 



2. Romana, so called from that part of Italy, 

 before mentioned. It has been a favourite fruit in 

 this country for many years. There are two varie- 

 ties the round and oval, both very good : they are 

 slightly ribbed ; the rind is smooth, of a greenish 

 colour, which changes but little in ripening. The 

 author has remarked that the fruit which keeps the 

 longest before turning yellow is the best, and gene- 

 rally of the finest flavour ; hence the fruit will re- 

 quire watching ; and the moment it is observed to 

 crack at the stalk, or to emit its fine scent, it should 

 be cut, and taken into the fruit-room till wanted : 

 but let it be remarked that after being a few hours 

 out of the frame, the sooner it is used the better. 



It is above sixty years since the author first cul- 

 tivated this melon, having at that time received the 

 seed from an old gardener in the service of General 

 Fitzwilliam at Richmond, in Surry, whose house 

 was at one time inhabited by Sir Matthew Dicker, 

 and where if not the first, at all events the second 

 pine-apple was raised in England. The author well 

 remembers seeing the remains of the small stove- 

 like place in which it was raised, mouldering away ; 

 and though it formed an unsightly object close to the 

 pleasure-ground, it was ordered not to be removed. 



3. Scarlet Flesh Rock Cantaleupe, as it may be 

 called, is moderately warted ; shape, nearly round, 

 and not deeply furrowed ; colour, a mottled green 

 and yellow ; flesh rich, melting, and of a fine scarlet 

 colour : though of so melting a nature, it cuts very 

 solid. Average weight from three to four pounds. 



M 3 



