MUSKMELONS OR CANTALOUPES. 



CULTCRE.— Plant seed In hills 4 to feet apart each way, after danger 

 of frost is over. Use well rolled ruanure in the hills. luserl steds 

 just under surface of soil; 1 ounce to uO hills; 2 to i pounds to acre. A 

 light, warm soil is best, but there are varieties of melons well adapted 

 to loamy and even heavy ground, if well drained. In hoeing draw the 

 soil well up to the plants. Fight bugs with tobacco dust, bone meal 

 or buhach. 





EXTRA EAUL\ GKAXD RAPIDS. — fYellow flesh.) This ex- 

 tremely early muskmelon, which I introduced to the American public 

 in 189.5, matures a full week earlier than any other sort, and is profit- 

 able on that account. Indeed, it is not infrequently In the market two 

 weeks in advance of any other variety. The shape is well shown in the 

 illustration, which is from a photograph. The flesh is yellow almost to 

 the rind. The skin is finely netted, and the melon is "handsome in ap- 

 pearance and sure to attract attention in the market. I advise growers 

 to pinch otr the ends of the main shoots when 2 or 3 feet long, to encour- 

 age more abundant blossoming and earlier maturity. This practice 

 makes the fruit heavier as well as earlier. The Grand Rapids is abso- 

 lutely the earliest of all melons, large or small, and 1 particularly re- 

 commend it to tho<e whose profits depend upon being first in market. 

 Packet, 10 cts.; ounce, 15 cts.; 14 pound, 30 cts.; pound, SI. 00; 5 pounds, S3.00. 



COLUMBUS — (Green flesh. 1 This is a very attractive 

 and comparatively new variety, with an exceptional 

 number of excellent qualities; one of my own intro- 

 ductions. It is now widel.v known, and yearly increases 

 in public favor. The flesh is wonderfuUysweet and melt- 

 ing, and of spicy flavor. The skin is finely netted, and as 

 a shipping melon Columbus is unsurpassed. The size is 

 medium to large. It ripens shortly after .Jenny I^ind. It 

 has won distinction by its ability to withstand intense 

 heat without Injury, a California customer reporting that 

 it was not hurt by a temperature of 10H=, though other 

 melons were ruined. Pkt., oc; oz., lOc; % lb., 25c.; lb., 7.5c. 



TIP TOP — (Yellow flesh.) This is a fine, round melon 

 of such attractive appearance as to always sell quickly in 

 the markets. It is sweet, juicy and delicious. The flesh 

 is firm but not hard, and is edible almost to the rind. The 

 vine Is of vigorous growth and great productive ability. 

 The melon is of medium to large size, and is one of the 

 _ best of the yellow fleshed sorts. Packet, 5 cents; ounce, 

 m: 10 cents; "4 pound, 25 cents; pound, 75 cents. 



TIP TOP. MELROSE (Green and yellow flesh.) A cross ot a 



number of varieties, Maule's Perfection being prominent. Finely netted skin; thick, solid flesh 

 of superior quality and sweetness. Packet, 5 cts.; ounce, 10 cts.; % pound, 25 cts.; pound, 75 cts. 



M alle s superior 

 MAULE'S SUPERIOR.— Green flesh.) This excellent early musk- 

 melon, which I introduced just 10 years ago, has made thousands o» 

 friends, and now holds a permanent place in public esteem. It ripens 

 about the same time as Jenny Lind, but is rather larger than that 

 famous variety. Its shape and general appearance are shown in the 

 illustration. The vine is a wonderfully strong and vigorous grower, 

 frequently producing 6 to 7 melons. The quality of the melon is unsur- 

 passed, and it is a perfect shipper. The fruit is never known to crack or 

 rot at the blossom end, and is so attractive in appearance as to com 

 niand a higher price in the markets than other early sorts. Packet 

 5 cents; ounce, 10 cents; ]^ pound, 30 cents; pound, 90 cents. 



S PEKKECTIOX (lellow flesh.) 



melon with the best in cultivation. 

 It is nearly round, as may be seen in the illus- J5_ 

 tratlou, and of good size, not infrequently BT^ 

 reaching a weight of 8 or 10 pounds The color E^^ 

 of the skin is dark green, well netted. The 

 color of the flesh is rich orange. The melon is 

 .^nearly all flesh, the interior opening being 

 S very small; scarcely room to accommodate 

 the seeds. The flavor is absolutely unexcelled 

 by any variety grown. It is adapted alike to 

 home use or to market. It originated with 

 one of my customers in New York .State, soiui- 

 years ago, and until I tried it his praises 

 sounded overdrawn. The trial showed me 

 that the Perfection Muskmelon cannot be 

 over praised. It justifies its name by its per- 

 formance and its real merit. Pkt., 10 cts.; 

 oz., 15 cts.; '4 lb., 40 cts.; lb., S1.25. 



I^MI 



^^^ 



STARN'S FAVORITE OR CHAMPION MARKET. 



STARK'S FAVORITE.-(Green flesh.) This 

 is the same as Champion Market. It is a nearly 

 round melon, as shown in the illustration 

 thickly netted, and with green flesh that Is deep 

 and of good flavor. It originated with one ot 

 niy New Jersey customers, Mr. E. N. Starn, w ho 

 for years past has grown many acres for market 

 The variety is an enormous cropper, but a very 

 shy seeder, the interior cavity being small. II 

 is a most desirable melon for home or for mar- 

 ket. Pkt., 5 cts.; oz.. 10 rts.; ' , lb., ;:(i els.; lb., Sl.OO. 



1: 





B.\LT ■ 



B.VLTIMORE. ...so callfQ 



Acme or Baltimore (.'iiion. i^uite early ai d 

 very large and showy; pointed at the'tnds 

 strongly netted and with thick green flesh of 

 rich flavor and aroma. It is in brisk demai:Q 

 by hotels and restaurants in the Eastern cities 

 during its season, on account of its superloi 

 table qualities. It Is as well suited to the ama- 

 teur as to the market gardener. Pkt., o cte.; oz. 

 10 cts.: 1 ,- lb., 2.5 cts.: lb.. 70 cts. 



H.4RDY RIDGE.— (Salmon flesh.t This Is a 

 great favorite in France: does well In -Vmerica. 

 Thick flesh. Packet, 10 cents; ounce, 30 cents. 



