PETER HENDERSON & CO.—VEGETABLE SEED NOVELTIES. 13 
THE MELON. 
(WATER AND MUSK.) 
The ‘‘Cream”’ of recently introduced sorts in both Water and Musk Melons will be found described on this 
and succeeding page. For standard sorts, customers are referred to our general list further on in the Catalogue. 
SCALY BARK WATER MELON, 
A Georgia friend brought to our notice this variety and we catalogued it for the first time last year, and gave 
it, probably, its first general introduction. Whoever named this Melon was not particularly happy in the choice, 
for its bark is neither rough nor ‘‘scaly,” and the 
only possible pretext for such a name must have 
been the fancied resemblance that the skin presents 
to being covered with fish scales, Its rind is very 
thin, yet so tough and strong that it will bear 
any amount of handling, and withstand an enor- 
mous weight or pressure without cracking. The 
specimen here illustrated, together with another 
variety, was shipped us a distance of 1,500 miles, 
and although the other sort had entirely collapsed 
by the time the Melons reached us, the Scaly 
Bark was apparently in as sound condition as 
when it was taken from the field. After remaining 
in our store upwards of ten days we began some 
experiments to test its strength, and, to our great 
astonishment, we found that it sustained a weight 
of over 1,250 pounds before cracking or bursting 
open. This, too, with a specimen that was thor- 
oughly ripe. In fact, it was in perfect eating con- 
dition, and was sampled by at least half a dozen 
people, all of whom pronounced its light crimson 
flesh to be tender and of excellent flavor. For 
shipping purposes it is, undoubtedly, one of the very 
best, if not the best Melon in existence. 
We have gone into this somewhat long explana- 
tion for fear that some might form the impression 
from our picture that it was the Melon that weighed 
1,250 pounds. Our idea of showing the weight on 
top is simply to put more vividly before our custom- 
ers the strength of the rind, and the peculiar fitness 
of the variety for shipping purposes. The average 
weight of melons of this variety is about 35 pounds, 
and our illustration will give a good idea of its form 
and characteristics. 
: 2 10 cts, per pkt.; 25 cts. per oz.; 75 cts. per Y lb.; 
Copyright, 1883. $2.50 per lb. 
SCALY BARK WATER MELON. 
WHITE SEEDED ICE CREAM WATER MELON. 
(TRUE. ) 
For quality there is no Water Melon grown can equal this. It is not new by any means, but it possesses 
such delicious flavor, and so many other essential good qualities, = = 
that we bring it to the front. The fruit is of medium size, nearly 
round, skin pale green, thin rind, flesh scarlet, solid, tender and 
delicious. 
5 cts per pkt.; 10 cts. per oz.; 25 cts. per &% lb.; 80 cts. per lb. 
CUBAN QUEEN WATER MELON. 
Our engraving will best illustrate what this widely advertised 
and extensively grown melon is like. The markings of light and 
dark green are regular and distinct. The quality is equal to the 
best of any of the sorts, while its solidity is so marked that it will 
weigh at least one-third more than melons of the same size of 
other varieties, specimens often attaining a weight of 80 lbs, and 
and npward. (See cut.) 
5 cts. per pkt.; 20 cts. per oz.; 60 cts. per & lb.; $2.00 per Ib. WATER MELON—CUBAN QUEEN. 
SEE DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CELERY, ‘“ HENDERSON’S WHITE PLUME,” PACE 11 
