MELONS. 231 



degenerating the fruit of either the Apple or the Pear. 

 The idea that has been entertained by some that this 

 would be the case is perfectly absurd, as there can be no 

 deterioration or degeneracy of the existing fruit, through 

 the impregnation of these or other inferior species. The 

 effect produced through impregnation must appear in 

 the rising generation, not in the present one: we might 

 as well expect a degeneracy in animal species by a cross 

 impregnation with each other, as that the Apples and 

 Pears now growing in our orchards should have degene- 

 rated, simply because Medlars and Quinces had been 

 planted in the same orchards. Yet I find a caution 

 given to gardeners to " plant Medlars and Quinces at 

 a proper distance from Apples and Pears;" both by 

 Mr. FORSYTH, and by JOHN ABERCROMBIE, sixty 

 years a practical gardener. 



CHAP. X. 



MELONS. 



THE Melon appears -to have been brought into England 

 as early as the year 1570; but whether we possess, at 

 the present time, the sort then introduced, would pro- 

 bably be very difficult to determine. 



As an annual plant it is the only one known in our 

 gardens, whose fruit, in its natural state, possesses suf- 

 ficient merit to recommend it to a place in the dessert : 

 for this purpose, however, it stands so high in general 

 estimation for the richness of its flavour, independent 

 of its magnificent appearance, that no dessert can be con- 

 sidered as complete without it, so long as it continues in 

 season. 



Q 4 



