81 

 are allowed to ripen cease "bearing almost imane dl at e ly . The 

 young fruits may be successfully preserved in "brine, from 

 which they are soaked out in fresh water as wanted, and put 

 into vinegar, which they readily absorb), 



Cuctiraber, Cuciimis Sativus (Linn.) 

 Description and Habitat 



Leaves ovate, 5-angular or slightly lobed, lobes acute 

 hispidulous on both s-urfaces and also often with soft hairs, 

 petals 5/8 in,, fruit glabrous, sometimes tuberculated, commonly 

 elongate, 



Througjiout India, cultivated. Distribut Lori^ In all warm 

 and warm temperate countries, cultivated ; where wild unknown. 



Stems scabrous. Leaves 3-5 in, diameter ; petiole 2-7> 

 in, Peraale peduncle sometimes 2 in, Yotmg ovary muricate 

 with rigid prickles, Pruit commonly cylindric, 12 by 1 I/2 

 in. 



Variety Sikkimensis, fruit 15 by 7 in,, clavate with 5 

 placents. Cultivated in Nepal and Sikkim, 



Muskraelons thrive best in a liglit and quick warm soil. 

 The hot, bright climate suits them well. 



In warro countries the melon is propagated by seeds planted 

 in the field where tine crop is to mature. The seed is dropped 

 in hills of well-enriched soil, three to five to each hill, 

 and covered with about 2 inches of soil. In some parts of 

 the United States a method is followed which is a good one for 



