244 



MELOK, 



8. Netted Green Flesh. — The only difference be- 

 tween this and the last is the netted appearance of its 

 exterior, and having deeper furrows. 



Green-fleshed melons were known in Miller's 

 time, but they fell into disrepute, from the idea that 

 the softness of their pulp caused flatulency. This 

 prejudice appears at present to be wearing off, from 

 the high encomiums bestowed on the Persian varie- 

 ties, which are nearly allied to the sorts just men- 

 tioned. 



The above three varieties are all prolific, and set 

 their fruit early and freely. Two good plants should 

 be allowed to ripen two or three fruit on each ; that 

 is, four or six under each light. They require but 

 little water at the root when near ripening, and better 

 it is to allow an extra depth of mould than that the 

 plants should require water, which deteriorates their 

 flavour. The fruit should be used the same day 

 they are cut, as they soon spoil in the fruit room. 



9. Black Rock Cantaloupe — The name of black 

 rock is given to this melon from its skin being covered 

 with large black tubercles, resembling broken granite. 

 Cantaloupe is a specific name, to signify not only 

 -whence the sort was obtained, but also the shape, 

 all cantaloupes being depressed, that is, the longitu- 

 dinal diameter is less than the transverse. 



No melon is more extensively cultivated than this. 

 Its noble size and rich appearance in the dessert 

 gains it admittance into every garden. The fruit 

 sometimes grow to the weight of fifteen pounds ! 

 but those weighing from six to ten pounds are the 



