MUSKMELON 355 
specimens are fairly common, and occasionally eight to 
ten-pound melons are harvested, but the unusually large 
melons are generally inferior in quality. 
Greenhouse melons ripen very quickly after they have 
attained full size. They change in color, emit a strong 
but most agreeable perfume and separate easily from the 
stem when they are ripe. The fruits should not be kept 
very long in a refrigerator for this will cause them to 
deteriorate rapidly in flavor. 
When melons are shipped they should be unusually 
well protected with cotton, wool, excelsior, or other 
material to prevent bruising. It is safest to use crates 
provided with a separate receptacle for each fruit, in 
which it can be securely packed, so that there can be no 
bruising. 
