98 CUCURBITACEOUS PLANTS. 



The numerous varieties few of which have been grown 

 to any extent in this country will be found described in 

 the "FIELD AND GARDEN VEGETABLES OF AMERICA." 



THE WATERMELON. 



Cucurbita citrullus. 



Plant running, the length varying from eight to twelve 

 feet ; leaves bluish-green, five-lobed, the lobes rounded at 

 the ends ; flowers pale yellow, an inch in diameter ; fruit 

 large, roundish or oblong, green, or variegated with different 

 shades of green ; seeds oval, flattened, half an inch long, 

 five-sixteenths of an inch broad, the color varying accord- 

 ing to the variety, being either red, white, black, yellowish, 

 or grayish-brown. An ounce contains from a hundred and 

 seventy-five to two hundred seeds, and they retain their 

 vitality eight years. 



The Watermelon is more vigorous in its habit than 

 the Muskmelon, and requires more space in cultivation ; 

 the hills being usually made eight feet apart in each direc- 

 tion. It is less liable to injury from insects, and the crop is 

 consequently much more certain. The seed should not be 

 planted till May, or before established warm weather ; and 

 but two good plants allowed to a hill. 



The varieties are as follow : 



Apple-seeded ^ ratner small, nearly round sort, deriv- 

 ing its name from its small, peculiar seeds, 

 which, in form, size, and color, are somewhat similar to 

 those of the apple. Skin deep, clear green ; rind very thin ; 

 flesh bright red to the centre, sweet, tender, and well fla- 

 vored. It is hardy, bears abundantly, seldom fails to ripen 

 perfectly in the shortest seasons, and keeps a long time after 

 being gathered. 



