216 



VEGETABLE GARDENING. 



use by those who have become accustomed to the better kinds 

 of squashes; some of them are great yielders and are used for 

 feeding cattle. They may be grown as recommended for squash 



The variety most generally grown is known as Connecticut 

 Field, which is of large size and is used mainly for feeding stock. 

 Sugar and Cheese pumpkins are varieties much grown for cook- 

 ing purposes. 



Native of the warm parts of Asia. — Annual. — Cultivated from 

 a very remote period of antiquity. It resembles the cucumber 

 in habit of growth, and, like it and the squash, the different 

 sexes of flowers are separate on the same plant and in nature re- 

 quire the agency of insects to pollenize them; however, they may 

 be pollenized by hand, and the directions for pollenizing cucumber 

 flowers apply here. In quite a few cases the flowers of the musk- 

 melon are perfect, that is, have both stamens and pistils; but 

 it is likely that even in these cases cross-fertilization is neces- 

 sary. The seed resembles cucumber seed in size and form. 

 The fruit varies in shape but is commonly round or oval. The 

 flesh varies in color from nearly white to deep orange. This is 

 one of the most healthful and delicious of fruits, and our warm, 

 bright summers are especially favorable to its growth. As far 

 north as Minneapolis, this fruit is often so plentiful as to glut 

 the markets in September. 



Culture. — The culture of muskmelons is practically the same 

 as that recommended for cucumbers, and the insect pests are 

 also the same. A warm soil is, if anything, more desirable for 

 this crop than for cucumbers, and in moist seasons it doe^ 



Figure 113— Cheese Pumpkin. 



or, as is most commonly 

 practiced, grown amongst 

 the corn, where the seed is 

 planted as soon as warm 

 weather is assured. The 

 seed varies much in size. 

 For remarks on its flowers 

 and pollination see squash 

 with which they are nearly 

 identical. 



MUSKMELON. (Cucumis melo.) 



