V : Beginning .T> 40 days ailer planting. 



VI : Up to 7 cuttings may he gof. from one crop, once every 

 about "?5 clays. 



However, as a rule after the 'W cutting, the crop begins to dete- 

 riorate the supply of leaves is lessened as well as the quality the 

 leaves becoming coarse and small. 



VII : The plant is not grown for fibre, the latter being inferior 

 in quality and shorter compared to that obtained from the species 

 Capsularis. 



The most esteemed of the native pot-herbs ; chiefly made into a 

 kind of soup, the leaves being finely chopped, boiled in broth and 

 seasoned with garlic. The leaves are often dried for winter use. The 

 plant is very rich in mucilage and is considered nutritive and emol- 

 lient. However it is difficult to digest. 



VIII : Often found wild. It is most productive upon loamy 

 soils. It requires a thorough cultivation but especially heavy manu- 

 ring, in the shape of well rotten animal dung, as well as plenty of 

 water, the number of cuttings, quality of produce, etc. chiefly depen- 

 ding on these two items. Apply manure if possible after every cutting. 



The plant requires about 2 months to run into seed, the latter 

 being generally obtained in November. The seed is recognized from 

 that of the preceding species in being of a beautiful green colour, that 

 of ,Tute being brown. 



Cucumis melo ; Shammam : Sweet Melon ; Cucurbitaceae. 



1 : Many var. are grown but only few arc of some importance, viz : 

 (a) Baladi ; (b) Bassoussi ; (c) Santawi ; (d) Dounieri. 

 01' the above four the 2 first are the most important. 



(a) Is a more or less oblong melon, furrowed or not the earliest 

 of all and the most common. 



(b) This is an improved sort ol' Baladi chiefly grown in Bassous and 

 Abou-el-Gheit, in the province of Galioubieh. It is of a great demand 

 and excellent in quality. Later to ripe than the Baladi it is generally 

 distinguished from the latter by being almost always furrowed outside, 

 with deep furrows and prominent lobes -- the skin and flesh are 

 comparatively firmer the latter being richer in saccharine substances - 

 more fragrant as w 7 ell of a more delicate flavour compared to Baladi. 



4 



