MUSKMELON. 



217 



especially well on very sandy land, providing it has been well 

 manured. It is a good plan to pinch off the ends of the vines 

 after they have grown several feet for the purpose of forcing out 

 the laterals on which the fruit is borne, although this is not 

 customary in growing them on a large scale. Late settings of 

 fruit may be removed to advantage in September, as they then 

 have not time to mature. The fruit is not ripe until the stem 

 separates easily from it. Fruit ripened on the vine is of the best 



Figure 114 — Mupkmeloas. 1— California Citron. 2— White Japan. 3— Miller's 

 Cream. 4— Extra Earl^-. 



quality, but for shipping purposes it should be picked when still 

 green. Almost without exception, melons with finely netted skins 

 are of better quality than those with smooth or coarsely netted 

 skins. So true is this that buyers often refuse to buy the smooth 

 kinds. In order to make the fruit ripen earlier and to avoid the 

 attacks of the striped beetle, the plants are often started in pots 

 and on sods in hotbeds or frames, as recommended for cucum- 

 bers. It is a good plan also to place a piece of glass or board 

 under the melons when those of the best quality are desired, 

 since this keeps them off the ground, and they ripen more evenly 

 in consequence. 



Va.^'ieties. — Melons vary much in size, form, color of skin 

 and flesh and in quality. There are many kinds, but only a few 

 are referred to here. 



Christiana, or Early Christiana is a popular melon, of extra 

 good quality, with salmon colored flesh. 



