320 GAEDEXIXG FOE THE SOUTH. 



of some gravelly stream. If once established, it will 

 soon propagate from self-sown seed. If the stems get 

 choked with mud and weeds, they must be taken up and 

 the beds cleared and replanted. The shoots ought always 

 to be cut, as breaking injures the plants. 



They grow best in water not over two or three inches 

 deep, and if plants can be got, should be set in rows 

 parallel with the stream, eighteen inches apart. 



Use. — Water-cresses are generally liked for their warm, 

 pungent taste, and are used alone or in mixed salads. 



WATER MELON— {Gitrullus vulgaris.) 



This is a trailing annual, a nativ r e of the tropics, and of 

 the same natural family as the cucumber and musk melon, 

 but belongs to a distinct genus. It is a large, succulent, 

 and refreshing, but not high-flavored fruit, and is proba- 

 bly the melon mentioned in the Bible. The varieties are 

 numerous, and many of them not known out of a limited 

 locality. 



Imperial* — Medium size, nearly round, skin pale green 

 and white, marbled; rind thin, flesh solid, light red, crisp, 

 rich, and high-flavored; seeds small, reddish-brown ; pro- 

 ductive. 



Spanish. — Round, very dark green, thin rind, bright 

 red flesh, and black seeds ; rich and sugary. {JSuist.) 



Mountain Sweet. — Large, oval, striped with light and 

 dark green ; sometimes with a neck ; flesh light red, quite 

 solid, and of fine flavor. 



Ice Cream. — Large, round, early, and productive; skin 

 light green, rind half an inch thick ; flesh white, crisp and 

 sugary, excellent ; seeds white. 



