114 FAKH-GAEDEXING AND SEED-GROWING. 



same as directed for cucumbers, They are liable to be 

 attacked by the same "striped-bug," against which I 

 advise the same precaution and remedy. In fact, the 

 general remarks in regard to the cucumber arc applicable 

 to this plant. 



Gathering 1 for Market, Muskmelons are marketable 

 only before they turn yellow, and are ripe when the stem 

 cracks away from the fruit, at which time they should be 

 gathered and carefully placed in barrels for shipping. 

 They must be gathered every day during their season, for 

 they soon become yellow and soft after they are ripe. 



Seed. When intended for seed, melons need not be 

 gathered until quite yellow. 



They should be cut open, the seeds scraped out and 

 treated the same as cucumber-seed. The fruit after the 

 seed is removed serves as an excellent food for cattle 

 and hogs. 



Stock seed should be saved from the earliest and best 

 flavored of those which are used for home consumption. 

 The seed is good for ten years. 



Varieties. The distinct varieties arc not numerous, 

 though there are many sub-varieties of almost every 

 sort. 



Citron, Fruit of medium size, nearly round, flattened 

 at the ends; skin green and much netted; flesh thick 

 and fine flavored. 



Nutmeg, Fruit oval, whence the name; otherwise, 

 very similar to the above. 



Skiilman'S Fine-netted, Fruit round, medium size; 

 skin green and very closely netted, whence the name; 

 flesh thick, fine-grained, and excellent ; one of the very 

 best varieties. 



Allen's Superb, A sub-variety of the citron. Fruit 

 very large; skin green and much netted; flesh thick, 

 green, solid, and excellent. 



