I 



VISITORS 6i 



when these melons are cut that their colouring is seen 

 in its greatest perfection, for to the deep green without 

 is added the rich crimson of the fruit within. 



The merits of the water-melon are confined to its 

 appearance. It is never eaten except by the poorest 

 classes. According to tradition, however, it used 

 occasionally to be drunk — that is, its juice, well mixed 

 with claret — by the English in former days. I remember 

 hearing it told of one high official of that time who 

 used to conduct his work with one of these melons 

 propped upright on the table beside him. The upper 

 end of the melon was cut off, the mass of seed scooped 

 out, and claret poured in. The combined liquid used 

 then to be ladled out and drunk as inclination prompted. 

 That cholera did not result must be regarded as provi- 

 dential. 



I do not know if the melon is indigenous to India ; 

 but all the finest varieties are said to have been intro- 

 duced by the Mahomedans from Cabul and elsewhere. 

 The introduction of the finest variety of all, the musk- 

 melon, is attributed to the Emperor Babur, the founder 

 of the Mogul dynasty. In connection with this melon, 

 the Emperor, in his charming memoirs, relates a rather 

 touching incident. 



In the course of one of his campaigns the Emperor 

 was encamped in a desolate tract near the banks of the 

 Jumna. The Emperor was seated in his tent when 

 a messenger arrived with a basket of these musk-melons 

 from Cabul. The sight of them recalled recollections 

 of his native country of Ferghanah, for it is there that 

 this melon grows in its greatest perfection. The 



