CHAPTER VI t 



Cucur'bltaceae 

 Watermelon, Citrulus vulgaris (Schrad.) 



Descript, ion and Habitat 



Leaves deeply divided on tut moderately lobed, glabrous or 

 somewhat hairy, hardly scabrid, fruit often 10 in, diaireter, 

 sometimes much smaller. 



Throughout India, cultivated. Distribution, In all warm 

 countries of the world cultivated. 



The fruit is very refreshing. 



Propagation 



Propagation is by seed sown where the plants are to fruit, 

 for though many people transplamt them, the plants are never 

 so healthy, or the vines so strong, as when they remain where 

 sown, seed should not be too new, as if less than two years old 

 it is apt to run too much to vine, and to produce only male 

 flowers. The seed must be put in from the beginning of 

 ]rebruary to the middle of April, 



Soil 



The soil can hardly be too sandy, but it should be mamir- 

 ed thickly with a compost of two parts old well-rotted cow 



