246 



MELOX. 



size ; for no magnitude can compensate for tlie want 

 of high flavour and wholesomeness. 



10. Silver Rock Cantaloupe, — So called to distin- 

 guish it from the black. In quality it is equal, in 

 shape somewhat different, being less depressed, and 

 less furrowed ; in weight much less, averaging five 

 pounds : requiring less space, and consequently fitter 

 for early work. 



There is another variety called the golden roek, 

 which is much and successfully cultivated in Hol- 

 land. The Dutch gardeners excel in the culture of 

 the melon, their frames and pits being on a large 

 scale ; and they contrive to keep up a uniform bottom 

 heat, so indispensable to this fruit. But they have 

 not been able to keep either their £ne varieties or 

 their art at home. Many in this country have imi- 

 tated the Dutch practice with the utmost success* 

 Wells, foreman of the melon ground in the royal 

 garden at Richmond, and Thorn, foreman to a 

 market gardener near Kew (both men that could 

 neither read nor write), were both noted for their su- 

 perior knowledge of the culture of melons. Under 

 oiled paper frames (so urgently recommended by 

 Miller a hundred years ago). Thorn raised im- 

 mense crops, much to his own ©reditu and advantage 

 of his employer. 



The author witnessed Thorn's mode of culture \ 

 and as it may be practised by many who are ignorant 

 of its practicability, some brief account of it may not 

 be unacceptable. Long hot*beds of prepared dung 



