207 



THE MELON. 



Persia, is the acknowledged home of the melon (Cm- 

 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 — culti- 

 vated them by means of artificial heat, from which it 

 would appear that forcing was an art not unknown 

 to the Eomans. The cultivation of melons has been 

 general in England since the middle of the sixteenth 

 century. Although many of the varieties now in cul- 

 tivation are very fine, they are not generally regarded 

 such safe or wholesome fruits as to be liberally par- 

 taken 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 ex- 

 ternal appearance ; for often the more common-look- 

 ing and smaller fruits are much superior in flavour to 

 those that are large and handsome. 



