19 
nsurpassed in 
Luscious Flavor. 
fe 
F{lwaus wens the 
Highest Price on 
the Market. 
J ROCKY FORD ‘] 
MUSK MELON ze. 
rae) 
URING the Autumn months of the last two years there have been shipped to ost Desirable Size 
Ser ae the New York and other Northern markets many carloads of this variety of —Ideal for Dessert 
Melon from the growers of Rocky Ford, Col., from which the name is derived, 0 SEP be 
and we venture to say that the advent of this valuable variety has done more to ¥ ef 
popularize Musk Melons than any other sort. 
We have been fortunate in securing sufficient seed of this valuable kind to offer it to 
iy 
our customers, which we do with the greatest confidence, after a series of careful and 
Al Healthy, Vigorous 
... Grower. 
a 
Fxceedinaly Prolific. 
exhaustive trials. It has proved to be a very valuable sort in every respect, somewhat 
resembling the old ‘‘ Netted Gem,”’ but is more ovalin shape. The vines are exceedingly 
healthy and vigorous, bearing an enormous quantity of fruits during the entire sea- 
son. Itis safe to say that no Melon has ever come into the New York markets which has 
sold so readily and at such high prices as the ‘‘ Rocky Ford.” Hnormous prices have been 
paid for this variety to the exclusion of many others. Our colored plate on opposite 
page gives a fairly adequate idea of the general appearance of this sort. 
It is impossible to overestimate its value, and as an indication of the value of this Musk Melon we may mention that 
last season a grower in Florida actually cleared a net profit of $8,000 from 25 acres of this variety. The ground color 
of the skin is, when ripe, of a rich greenish gold, the netting is very prominent and is light in color, which makes the outer 
appearance very attractive. The flesh is very deep, ripening clear to the rind, and it has an exceedingly small seed cavity. 
Itis very sweet and luscious in flavor, and is entirely devoid of any stringy character. Our seed was specially grown for us by 
NESS a careful grower at Rocky Ford, and is the best type of the genuine Rocky Ford Musk Melon. 
Price, 15c. pkt., 35c. oz., $1.00 14 lb. 
PE LPEE Ie ee O LION EON DOC O ECC LOLOL OEE 
ly \HIS variety is of Russian origin. We have 
been many years working it up to its pres- enderson’s New S enderson’s New 
ent perfection, and at last have secured a 
distinct and valuable sort. Many features 
of this Melon are absolutely distinct. The fruits _ Watermelon, . 
are oval i eneRe medium in size; the color of 
the rind is dark green, with faint pencillings of a 
lighter shade, and though the pee is thin it is re ecenrourisvius LAST YEAR AS No. 3.) 
verytough. The flesh is very deep, extending 
to within half an inch of the rind, and is en- 
tirely different from anything ever known in 
a Watermelon. The color can best be described 
as arich orange buff, and itis as sweet as any vari- 
ety in cultivation. The Melon grower in our 
Northern latitudes is often compelled to lose a 
large proportion of his crop by reason of prema- 
turely cold weather. Ordinary varieties com- 
pletely succumb to these early, cold spells, and 
of course fail to ripen the fruit left on the vines. 
But this sort has the peculiarity of ripening 
fruits up quickly, even after such a check, and 
when fruits are only three-quarters grown, and 
ripening them so thoroughly, too, that at the 
least touch of the knife they burst open with that 
peculiarly full ripeness such as is known in the 
South. Price, 15c. pkt., 35c. 0z., $1.00 14 lb. 
AG: the South Dakota State Fair at Yankton, Sept. 
26th to 30th, first premium forthree Watermelons, 
new variety, was awarded to Henderson’s No.3 
(now named ‘Sweet Siberian’), exhibited by G. A. 
Smith, Gayville,S.D. After being judged I cut these 
Melons, and the quality was pronounced by all excel- 
Lente G. A. SMITH, Gayville, South Dakota. 
VLE 
EXPERIMENT STATION OF THE 
|iiinois State Horticultural Society. . . . 
“ Alton, Ill., July 22d, 1898. 
“I am well pleased with all of the twelve novelties 
received from you this Spring, but I want to speak 
particularly of the Watermelon (Nameless Novelty No. 
3, now named ‘Sweet Siberian’). It began ripening some 
two weeks ago, which was earlier than I ever had 
Watermelons ripen before. It seemsto bevery produc- 
tive, and in quality it is most excelent. ne 
DWIN H. RIEHL. 
LLL 
VELLA 
