bi _ MAULE’s NoVELTIES AND SPECIALTIES FOR 1902 21 
Harris’ Earliest Watermelon 
Sweetest Early Melon—Largest Early 
Melon—Best Shipping Early Melon. 
This melon is a new one, but has unquestionably 
taken the fancy of the American public, fully justify- 
ing my claims at the time of its introduction. Last 
year’s sales and testimonials told a story that could 
not be misunderstood. The Harris is a success. 
As asummary of the whole matter, to date, I may 
say that the Harris is the earliest watermelon on the 
market; the sweetest early melon, the largest early 
melon and the best shipper in the early class. These 
are sweeping statements, but they are true. Moreover, 
the Harris will outyield any other early melon with 
which I am acquainted. 
The general shape and appearance of the Harris are 
} shown in the illustration. The skin is mottled with 
green and white. The flesh is red, sweet, juicy and 
erisp. The seeds are black. The weight varies all the 
way from 12 to 40 pounds, the average being 15 to 20 
pounds. Its table quality is first class. 
Previous to the introduction the originator, Mr. B. F, 
Harris, of Tennessee, wrote me as follows: ‘For 
twenty years we have been trying to find an extra ear- 
ly watermelon, one that we surely could depend upon, 
one with which we could beat all competitors, and one 
that would be the first on the market; and at last our 
efforts are crowned with success. We have succeeded 
beyond all expectations. Weare sure that weare able 
to introduce the earliest watermelon in the world. We 
have never seen its equal.” 
: Harris’ Earliest Watermelon was originated by cross- 
= =a ———= 5 ; : ing Kolb’s Gem with Cole’s Early, Hungarian Honey 
HARRIS’ EARLIEST WATERMELON. and a small Russian watermelon of the very finest 
flavor. Through droughts and floods and insect pests it has never failed to make a fair crop. It varies somewhat in shape and size, being round 
to oblong in form. That this melon is a good shipper is proven by the number that have been safely sent to my main office in Philadelphia from 
points over a thousand miles distant. It certainly is the earliest that will bear shipment. The melon was tested during the season of 1899 at the 
Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Tenn., at Knoxville, and under date of Aug. 17th, Mr. Harris received the following report: 
“The Harris’ Earliest Watermelon seeds sent us for trial produced melons weigh- E. F. Willoughby, Sarcoxie, Mo.: I ship you to-day a Harris’ Early Watermelon. 
ing from 12 to 15 pounds in 63 days. Was the earliest melon grown on the grounds,”’ | I planted the seed on the 23rd day of May, and pulled this melon the 23rd day of 
Mr. Harris’ Neighbors in Tennessee Report: July; It weighs 28 pounds. I have nearly five carloads of all kinds growing, but the 
; : aa? : Harris’ beats them all for earliness. 
hint eae the anor J a SE eee een ion ist of May. and W. W. De Vault, Austin Springs, Tenn: I ship you a Harris’ Watermelon weigh- 
: Ri i i i § i lon ripened in 65 days. 
J. M. Thompson, J. P., Edgewood: Ripened for me this year in 62 days. .| ing 27 pounds. This mele D : ; ‘ 
W. iH. MeMillan, Dhcloes Harris’ Earliest Watermelon seed produced nice ripe | Daniel Steck, Hughesville, Pa: Harris’ Earliest Watermelon is by far the earli- 
melons in 65 days. c est watermelon [ have ever raised. Planted the 15th of May, the first ripe melon 
T. R. Dickson, Charlotte: We planted Harris’ Watermelon this year. It was at | was pulled the 26th of July. The vines continued to bear all summer; the last melon 
least two weeks ahead of all others. Quality the very best. was taken from the vines Oct. Ist. There was not a melon of poor quality in the lot. 
C. C. Donegan, Tennessee City: I am pleased with Harris’ Early Watermelon. Hugh McLain, Camden, O: I have been growing melons for forty years; and 
Had fine melons in 63 days. Harris’ Earliest is one of if not the best I have ever raised. 
Daniel & Loggins, Dull: Harris’ Earliest Watermelons sold by us this season| Fred. L. Grubbs, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Isend you to-day by express, two Harris’ 
weighed from 15 to 20 pounds; at least two weeks ahead of all other early melons. | Karly Watermelons, one weighing 32 pounds, the other 29!4. This is a good melon 
; From Other Parts of the Country. and they are great bearers. ; y 
E. C. Morrison, Neenah, Wisconsin: On the 25th of August we cut our first one, John Easley, Rocheport, Mo: Isend you to-day a Harris’ Earliest Watermelon, 
which weighed 20 pounds, and was excellent. They were were planted May 23rd. weighing 32 pounds. This variety is all you claim forit. It is the coming melon. 
I think every melon grower in America should give Harris’ Earliest a fair trial, as it is in all respects an extremely promising variety. 
Packet, 10 cents; ounce, 15 cents; 14 pound, 40 cents; pound, $1.25; 5 pounds, $5.00, postpaid. 
The Alabama Sweet Watermelon. (5% | \ We 
j 
This is without question one of the finest shipping watermelons ever 
put on the market. Itis early, strong of growth, very productive, and 
bears later than most melons, thus covering an unusually long season. 
A recent trial of this melon, in Pennsylvania, showed that the Alabama 
Sweet, planted at the same time as the Icing, was two weeks earlier than 
that variety, and also bore for two weeks later, thus covering a month 
more than Icing. 
Alabama Sweet is a dark green melon with light seeds. It is first- 
class for shipping purposes, in which characteristic it is unlike the 
Kleckley Sweets, which it somewhat resembles in flavor. It is of good / i i 
Size, though not ungainly like Triumph. === = | Wy} un 
A Texas correspondent, under date of July 26, 1901, wrote me as follows: |: if i | \ | aN 
“We mail you a photograph showing the Alabama Sweet Melon. This in ‘ \ pees. =, MS ‘al 
was taken from the first car we had. The melons were much admired, 7, y aN ‘ mi “a 
rut 
i 
and sold readily. Indeed, we are more than ever convinced this is the Y] j Z “ SS an 
melon of the future.’ AN Zi HAS ZO 
I regard the Alabama Sweet melon with high favor, both for table : Ny Z sii AY ‘ 
purposes and as a Shipper. Its flavor is simply delicious, and its Z WZ = 
outside appearance is attractive. Its size and shape are such as to make 
it a first-rate business melon. It is to be emphatically recommended 
for the South, where it has been fully tested; and I am confident that it 
will be a prize winner in the North, in all melon growing sections. 
The characteristics of this desirable watermelon are such that I urge 
its trial in private gardens, where quality is a prime consideration, for 
although a good shipper it is likely to show extra high flavor, through- 
out the North, in places where it has never yet been grown. 
Packet, 10 cents, ounce, 15 cents; 14 pound, 50 cents; pound, §1.50. 
ALABAMA SWEET WATERMELON. (Encraveo FROM A TEXAS PHOTOGRAPH.) 
Carolina Bradford Watermelon 
Bright Red Flesh. Tender and Luscious. 
Large Size. Very Productive. 
A splendid melon for home use, maturing in about 
85 days. It is quite like the famous old Joe Johnson 
n shape and markings. It isa large, long melon, 
of dark green color, with darker stripes. The, red 
flesh is sweet and melting, and of excellent texture. 
The seeds are white. It has a strong vine and is 
very productive, and is in high esteem where known 
It is better adapted to home use than to market 
except to near-by points. It should have a place, 
in all choice gardens North and South. Packet, 
10 cts.; ounce, 15 cts.; 4g pound, 50 cts.; pound, $1.50 
X CAROLINA BRADFORD WATERMELON. 
