MELOX. 



239 



has been kept pretty true : but many sorts have de- 

 generated ; and it may be mentioned as a fact, that, 

 nctwithstanding many other sorts of fruit have been 

 improved, no appreciable improvement has been 

 made in the melon family for the last sixty years. 



Within these few years, several new varieties have 

 been introduced from Persia ; none large, but many 

 small, with thin rinds, and partaking of the shape of 

 the green-flesh variety — a superior fruit, and raised 

 with one half the trouble of any of the Persians. 

 Neither are these last considered so wholesome as 

 such as the firm-fleshed rock melon, being much too 

 succulent. 



1» Early Cantaloupe, — This excellent little melon 

 was brought from Portugal about the beginnings of 

 the last century, by the Honourable Dormer Stan- 

 hope ; and is the same as Miller describes as the 

 Portugal or pocket melon. Another, introduced 

 about the same time, was called the Galloway, which 

 answers to the Zatte of Miller; but the first acquired 

 preference. 



The early cantaloupe is nearly round ; colour yel- 

 lowish green ; rind smooth, and very slightly ribbed; 

 the pulp orange-coloured, firm, and, when well and 

 not too early ripened, a very pleasant fruit. It is a 

 prolific bearer, generally setting its first show of 

 fruit kindly ; of which, if three or four go on swell- 

 ing of an equal size, it is a good sign. When these 

 first are cut, leaving the plants healthy, they, if 

 pruned back and refreshed with a little good soil, 



