360 Poiteau and Vilmoriii's B071 Jardinier. 



Division 6. treats of the diseases incident to the melon 

 plants, and of the insects to the ravages of which they are 

 liable: this is followed by a succinct account of the culture of 

 the water melon (Cucurbita Citridlus). 



We now come to the second part of the work; and this is 

 occupied by the history, classification, and description. To 

 enter on the two former heads would lead me to an un- 

 warrantable and, perhaps, uninteresting length : suffice it to 

 say, that under the latter head are included numerous syno- 

 nymes; the length of the fruit from which the figure that 

 accompanies it was taken ; the proportion of that figure to the 

 model fruit; the form, colour, with every other minute par- 

 ticular ; comparative qualities for the table ; and merits, as 

 regards precocity and fecundity. The list contains eighty- 

 eight different varieties, with as many coloured figures, each 

 one being accompanied by the representation of a slice of the 

 fruit, to indicate the colour and thickness of the flesh and 

 rind : an example is also given of the branch of an individual 

 variety in each class, displaying the foliage, blossoms, and 

 manner of growth. The figures, although not highly finished, 

 are sufficiently so to admit the recognition of any variety by 

 their aid ; at least, so I have found, in those which I have 

 previously known. In conclusion, 1 may state that these 

 eighty-eight by no means include all the varieties known to 

 us : of Persian there are not more than three or four ; and I 

 myself possess others far more widely different from any of 

 these, than many of them are from each other. 



The work is, throughout, founded on practical experience; 

 and though containing little or nothing that is strildngly new 

 to an English horticulturist, yet its details are so compre- 

 hensive and at the same time so minute, so clear and yet so 

 free from useless repetitions, that, joined with the description 

 of modes of culture which, however inapplicable to our 

 climate, are yet interesting, and may afford useful hints for 

 modifications of our own practice, and the plates, a feature 

 wanting to every work on the subject in our language, render 

 the work, I think, one not unworthy of the attention of those 

 who are amateurs of the culture of the melon. 



I have only farther to add, that, possessing seeds of all, 

 (with a very few exceptions) of the varieties enumerated in M. 

 jacquin's work, they are, any of them, Sir, at your service. 

 I am, Sir, yours, &c. — J. C. K. 



Poiteau, A. (Redacteur principal), et Vilmorin, M. : Le Bon 

 Jardinier, Almanach pour I'Annee 1833: contenant les 

 principes generaux de culture ; I'indication, mois par mois, 



