20 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPOETED. 



24451 to 24575— Continued. 



24498 to 24540. Cucumis melo L. Muskmeloi 



24498. "(No. 124.) Winter nmskmelon. ' Katschalinsky ,' from Chare 

 chui, Turkestan." (Hansen.) 



24499. ''(No. 126.) Winter muskmelon. 'Khansky,' from Chan 

 chui, Turkestan. Diameter 38 and 22 cm." (Hansen.) 



24500. "(No. 127.) Winter muskmelon, from Chardchui, Turkestan 

 Diameter 32 and 20 cm." (Hansen.) 



24501. "(No. 128.) Winter muskmelon, from Chardchui, Turkestan. 

 Diameter 23 and 22 cm." (Hansen.) 



24502 to 24537. "(Nos. 150 to 185.) Native muskmelons of Turkes- 

 tan, mostly winter varieties. No. 167 (S. P. I. No. 24519) is the largest 

 lot of seed, from melons I bought in December, 1908, in the bazaar at 

 Chardchui, Turkestan. In my opinion it is worthy of a most earnest I 

 effort on the part of a melon specialist to get these winter muskmelons 

 of Tmkestan introduced into the driest and hottest regions of our 

 Southwest and the driest parts of our cotton belt. Some of the melons 

 weigh from 30 to 40 pounds, with thick white flesh, and are extremely 

 sweet. In Turkestan the late varieties are hung in reed-grass nets or 

 slings from the ceilings in the native houses of sun-baked clay, ready 

 for use all winter as needed. They are one of the main staples of the 

 native diet. The melons are also pickled somewhat like watermelon 

 rinds in America, but much superior in quality. Much of the musk- 

 melon seed I brought from my first trip to Turkestan in 1907, and some 

 in the spring of 1908, was lost from being tested too far north, in response 

 to the great demand for the seed . Some melons of this first importation 

 have done well in the Southwest and have since appeared under other 

 names, by which the credit of introduction is lost. With this fresh lot 

 of seed it is hoped that the Turkestan muskmelons, the largest and best 

 in the world, will receive a thorough trial in the hottest, driest regions 

 of the Southwest. None of them should go north of the cotton belt, 

 unless it be some of the smallest and earliest varieties. A long period 

 of hot, dry weather is needed to bring out the quality. Some of the 

 varieties endure long-distance transportation, so that in these melons 

 appears an inviting field for southern enterprise. Some of the varieties 

 may prove too sweet for our tastes. The breeder of melons may find 

 them useful in hybridizing. Southern California, New Mexico, Ari- 

 zona, and southern Texas should receive the seed at first; later the 

 range may extend farther northeast as the seed becomes more abundant. 

 I can not insist too strongly on the necessity of giving these melons a 

 long, hot, dry season for their best development." (Hansen.) 



24538. "(No. 233.) Seed saved from three large, white muskmelons 

 bought at Kagan or New Bokhara, Turkestan. Fruit oval, 12 to 15 

 inches in long diameter, clear, bright yellow; flesh white, very sweet. 

 See Nos. 150 to 185 (S. P. I. Nos. 24502 to 24537)." (Hansen.) 



24539. "(No. 236.) An oval, brownish yellow winter muskmelon 

 with sweet, green flesh, 8 to 10 inches in length. Grown near Merv, 

 Turkestan. In good condition December 17, 1908." (Hansen.) 



24540. "(No. 244.) Seed of winter muskmelon saved from melons 

 bought at Chardchui, Turkestan, December, 1908." (Hansen.) 



