360 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



MUSKMELON (Cucumis Melo) 



505. History. The muskmelon, a native to southern 

 Asia, cultivated by the ancients, has been grown for many 

 centuries in European countries and is now a popular 

 vegetable in many parts of the world. 



506. Importance. Thousands of acres of muskmelons 

 are grown annually in the United States. The acreage 

 is especially large in New Jersey, Maryland, Indiana, 

 Illinois, Georgia, Colorado, Arizona, Virginia and Texas, 

 with extensive areas in many other states. The musk- 

 melon has advanced rapidly in commercial importance 

 during the past 10 years. Enormous quantities are 

 shipped to the great markets and thousands of gardeners 

 supplying local markets find it a profitable crop. The 

 home garden is not complete without it. No vegetable 

 or fruit is more appreciated in its season. With our va- 

 ried climatic conditions the product is sent to market 

 from early summer until late fall. It is a close rival of 

 the peach for dessert purposes. 



507. Botany. The long, slender, flexible, almost cylin- 

 drical stems bear leaves variable in shape and size, 

 although usually kidney-shaped, rounded and often 

 folded or waved on the margins and frequently cut into 

 three to five lobes. While tendrils are supplied, the 

 plants are creeping and do not need support in field cul- 

 ture. The muskmelon has been considered monoecious 

 distinct male and female flowers produced on the same 

 plant ; while investigations made at the Vermont Experi- 

 ment Station (Vermont Station Bui. 70, p. 18) show 

 that the flowers are generally perfect. In 83 out of 93 

 varieties examined the pistillate or female blossoms con- 

 tained stamens and pollen. The remaining 10, consist- 

 ing entirely of the larger varieties, were monoecious. 

 The fruits are extremely variable in size, shape, color, 

 markings, firmness, texture, color and quality of flesh. 



