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AMATEUR cultivator's GUIDE 



MOUNTAtN-SWEET WATER-MELON. 



TVater-nVTelon (Cucurbita Citrullus). 

 German, Wassermelone. — French, Melon d'Eciu. — Spanish, Sandia. 

 The Water-melon is purely a tropical fruit, greatly appreciated for its refreshing coolness and 

 delicious flavor. 



Culture. — They require a light sandy soil, not over rich. Plant them in hills, as directed for 

 Melons, giving them more room, as their vines extend much farther. The seeds should be two 

 years old before planting. If they are wanted of a large size, three or four fruit from each plant will 

 be sufficient ; and, when one fruit only is taken, they will grow to from twenty to thirty pounds' weight 

 each. It will injure the flavor of the fruit if they are grown near to other varieties of the Melon. 



per oz. 



Mountain Sweet. A large, long, oval variety ; skin striped and marbled with different 

 shades of green ; flesh scarlet, and quite solid to the centre ; very sweet and deli- 

 cious. A fine market sort. Per pkt., s 15 



Mountain Sprout, or Lonq Caroiim. Resembling the preceding in most respects. A 



favorite market sort. Very fine quality, and productive. Per pkt., 5 . . .20 



3lack Spanish. Form oblong; size large; skin very darker blackish green; flesh deep- 

 red, fine-grained, very sugary, and of excellent flavor. Hardy and productive; 

 one of the best for general cultivation. Per pkt., 5 20 



Ice-cream. A very large pale-green sort ; form nearly round ; flesh white, very sweet, ten- 

 der, and of remarkably fine flavor. Per pkt., s 15 



Orange. Form oval, of medium size ; flesh red, not fine grained, but tender, sweet, and of 

 good quality. When in its mature state, the rind separates readily fi-om the flesh, 

 m the manner of the peel from the flesh of an orange. Per pkt., 10 . . .40 



Citron. Employed in making sweetmeats and preserves ; form round, medium size ; flesh 



white, very solid. (See engraving on p. 113.) Per pkt., 5 20 



Apple-pic Melon. This is a new Japanese variety, said to be an excellent substitute for 



apples, when stewed, and made into pies : keeps until May. Per pkt., 10 . .20 



Apple-seeded. A rather small, nearly round sort ; derives its name from its small, peculiar 

 seeds. Flesh bright red to the centre, sweet, tender, and well-flavored ; keeps a 

 long time after being gathered. Per pkt., 10 40 



IVTu-starcl (Sinapis Var). 

 German, Sen/. — French, Moutard. — Spanish, Mostaza. 



Mustard-seed is too widely known and appreciated to need description. It is useful both in its 

 natural state and manufactured, and is considered wholesome in all its various methods of preparation. 

 It is very refreshing when, in its green state, mixed with salads, and for that purpose alone is worthy 

 of cultivation. 



Culture. — This salad is cultivated in the same manner as recommended for Cress, — at all 

 times of the year, sowing every week or two either in beds or drills, or, for early use, in hotbeds, or 

 boxes in the windows of a warm room. The seeds should be covered very slightly, and frequently 

 watered, as moisture is indispensable to its growth. A bed three feet wide and twenty feet long, 

 having the plants four or six inches apart, will produce a sufficiency of seed for every domestic pur- 

 pose. 



per pint. 

 White, or Yellow. Very useful for salads, also for medicinal purposes. Per pkt, 5 . . 30 

 Brown, or Black. For culinary use. Per pkt., 5 30 



IVastvirtlvim, or Indian Cress (Trop^eolum). 



German, Kresse Indianische. — French, Capucine Grande. — Spanish, Capuchina. 



There are many curious varieties of the Cress, though none so beautiful as the common Nastur- 

 tium. It has a sharp, warm taste, and is frequently used in salads. The green seeds are frequently 

 pickled in vinegar, and are very palatable. 



Culture — Sow the seed thinly, in rows or patches an inch deep, about the end of March or 

 first of April. They will thrive almost anywhere if the ground is rich. They aie peculiarly 

 adapted to trellis-work, and form a rich, showy, and enlivening appearance. 



