VEGETAULES MELON. 165 



seeds of all plants of this class, as they cross A ery readily ; 

 for this reason, when seeds are to be saved from any par- 

 ticular variety, care must be taken that it is widely re- 

 moved from any other not less than 100 yards. If seed 

 is not wanted, improper crossing will make no difference 

 to the fruit that season, but the seed the product of 

 that crop will be affected thereby, and its impurity de- 

 veloped when fruit is raised from it. 



From the facility with which the Melon intermixes, it 

 follows that the varieties are very numerous, and for the 

 same reason it is difficult to retain varieties pure. The fol- 

 lowing seem to be the most fixed in character, and are 

 the sorts in general use. 



Green Citron. Fruit medium size, deeply netted ; in 

 shape almost round, varying from 6 to 8 inches in diam- 

 eter; flesh green, and of rich delicious flavor. It is the 

 leading mai'ket variety at the North. In selecting for 

 seed or for use, the most netted specimens should always 

 be chosen, as they are always vastly superior in flavor to 

 those with smooth skin. 



Borneo. Rather a new variety, which promises to be- 

 come very popular. It is of large size, nearly double that 

 of the preceding, of a roundish oval shape, deeply ribbed 

 and netted ; flesh yellowish-green ; of excellent flavor. 



Nutmeg. Fruit, nutmeg-shaped. Skin deep green, 

 finely and thickly netted; flesh greenish-yellow, rich and 

 sugary, in flavor second to none. It is extensively groAvn 

 in private gardens, but is thought not to be quite so pro- 

 ductive as the Citron for market. 



White Japan. A very distinct sort, deeply ribbed, 

 slightly netted with skin of a yellowish white ; flesh yel- 



