468 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



Striped Class, (5) Dull Striped Class, and (6) Mottled 

 Green Class. Each class is divided into two or three 

 types. Many distinct varieties are offered by our seeds- 

 men, the following being largely planted : 



Kleckley Sweet or Monte Cristo, exceedingly popu- 

 lar in many melon-growing districts, is a large, oval, 

 dark green, somewhat mottled, melon of superior quality. 



KoLB Gem is a favorite bright-red fleshed melon highly 

 valued for commercial purposes. 



Cuban Queen is a large melon which has been exten- 

 sively grown for many years. 



Halbert ^oney is a large, attractive, sweet, tender 

 sort, popular wherever it is known. 



Dixie is an early, productive variety of good quality. 



Sugar Stick is a large, light-green melon of handsome 

 appearance, fine flavor and of excellent shipping quali- 

 ties. 



Cole and Fordhook are very early varieties and popu- 

 lar in northern districts where climatic conditions are 

 not favorable for melon culture. 



672. Climate. — The watermelon thrives best in the 

 South, where the seasons are long, the day and night 

 temperatures high, and where frost seldom interferes 

 with the progress of the young plants or the ripening 

 of the fruits. The watermelon is more sensitive to cold 

 than the muskmelon. Most of the varieties require a 

 longer season in which to mature. While this vegetable 

 demands heat, sunshine and a long summer, it may be 

 grown and is produced successfully in the North when 

 proper cultural conditions are provided. 



673.' Soil. — A sandy soil well adapted to muskmelons 

 "(510) is equally suitable for watermelons. A sandy top 

 soil with a well-drained subsoil is considered ideal. 



674. Seed. — The most successful growers are very par- 

 ticular in regard to the character of the seed which they 

 use. Breeding plats are sometimes maintained, because 



