207 



THE MELON. 



Peesia is the acknowledged home of the melon {fiu- 

 cumis melo), where it has been regarded for ages not as 

 a luxury, but as one of the necessaries of life. It is the 

 richest of all soft fleshy fruits. The date of its culture 

 in Europe is so remote that the time of its introduction 

 is not capable of being recorded. The Eomans, as far 

 back as the time of Tiberius — who is said to have had 

 a special liking for melons — cultivated them by means 

 of artificial heat, from which it would appear that forc- 

 ing was an art not unknown to the Eomans. The cul- 

 tivation of melons has been general in England since 

 the middle of the sixteenth century. Although many 

 of the varieties now in cultivation are very fine, they 

 are not generally regarded such safe or wholesome 

 fruits as to be liberally partaken of in this cold climate. 

 Many, however, are passionately fond of them ; and, 

 to say the least of them, they are an interesting 

 fruit to cultivate, and have a handsome appearance in 

 the dessert. In too many instances, however, quality is 

 sacrificed to external appearance; for often the more 

 common-looking and smaller fruits are much superior 

 in flavour to those that are large and handsome. 



