246 



Third, but were entirely lost, as well as the 

 cucumber, during the wars of York and Lan- 

 caster. 



Miller justly remarks, that, in this country, 

 there are too many melons produced of no 

 value by those who supply the market, who, 

 endeavouring to enlarge their size, render 

 the fruit of no value, and unworthy the 

 trouble and expense, being more fit for the 

 dunghill than the table. In warmer coun- 

 tries, the melon is raised with little or no 

 trouble, and the fruit attains a peculiar fine 

 flavour ; but in this climate it requires great 

 attention and expense to rear it, therefore 



Grudge not, ye rich, (since luxury must have 

 His dainties, and the world's more numerous half 

 Lives by contriving delicacies for you,) 

 Grudge not the cost. Ye little know the cares, 

 The vigilance, the labour, and the skill, 

 That day and night are exercised, and hang 

 Upon the ticklish balance of suspense, 

 That ye may garnish your profuse regales 

 With summer fruits brought forth by wintry suns : 

 Ten thousand dangers lie in wait to thwart 

 The process. 



Cowper. 



No country has a greater variety of me- 

 lons than England, yet it is so rare to find 

 them good in the market, that the demand 



