Xlie P'inest M\isl5.-Meloiis. 



Melons. 



(^Jklonen.) 



Although the melon is a tropical fruit or vegetable, and can be grown more easily 

 and to greater perfection in warm climates and rich, sandy soil, than under other con- 

 ditions, still under the colder skies of the north, and even on indifferent soils, which 

 have been properly enriched, fine and luscious fruits can be grown. One of the sweetest 

 melons I ever ate was grown in Michigan, 45= nortli latitude, and fruits of Cuban 

 Queen, weighing 69 pounds each, have been grown on cold clay soil in northern Ohio. 

 It is not well to plant melons near cucumbers, pumpkins, or other vegetables of this 

 soil, as the pollen from the flowers will mi.x, and the fruits of the melons thus be injured. 

 This, and heavy rains at the time of ripening, will destroy the flavor of fruits from the 

 finest stock. 



MUSK-MELONS. 



Musk-melon seeds should not be planted outdoors until all danger from frost is over, 



and the ground has become 

 warm and dry. The hills 

 should be about 6 feet apart, 

 and carefully prepared. 

 Rich earth is far better for 



the young plants than manure, but if the latter must be used, see that it is 

 well rotted. Plant from 6 to 12 seeds in a hill, and when the young seedlings 

 are strong enough to resist the attacks of insects thin them, leaving thiee of 

 the strongest in each hill. The vines should have clean cultivation until they 

 cover the ground, and if they grow too rank, the tips of the shoots should be 

 pinched off when the vines are about three inches long, thus causing them to 

 set more fruits, and develop them, to finer size. An ounce of seed will plant 

 about 80 hills. 



HACKISNSACK, or TURK'S CAP. This Musk-melon is grown more ex- 

 tensively than perhaps any other variety. The fruits grow to fine size, are 

 roundish flat, irregularly ribbed and densely netted ; the flesh is light green, 

 thick, sweet and juicy; the vines are productive. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., 

 'Klb. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. 

 ^EXTBA EARLY HACEENSACK. A careful selection from the above, 

 ind, with fruits much like the parents in shape and quality of the flesh, but 

 :eady for market ten days earlier ; they are of good size, weighing from 5 to 

 10 pounds each. Pkt. 5 cts. , oz. 10 cts. , lb. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. 

 EMEBAIiB GEM. An extra early variety, with small, smooth-ribbed, dark 

 green fruits ; the flesh is thick and salmon-c-olored, granular, sweet and rich; 

 very attractive to the eye when served on the table, as well as delicious to 

 thetaste; the vines bear heavily. Pkt. 5 c, oz. 10 c, !<(lb. 25 c, lb. 70 c. 

 BANQUET. A very promising new Musk-melon, said by many experienced growers to be the finest of the red-fleshed sorts; the fruits are 



of medium size, flattened at both ends, and beautifully ^ 



netted ; the flesh is a bright salmon color, uniformly thick, 

 and ripens close up to the rind ; sweet, juicy, and of the 

 granular, melting character which always indicates a good 

 melon. The illustration is reproduced from a photograph. 

 Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., %\h. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. 

 MONTBEAIi MARKET. Well adapted to northern cli- 

 mates, and highly esteemed, and extensively grown around 

 the city from which it takes its name. The melons are of 

 fine size, with green, deeply ribbed and densely netted 

 ■rind ; the flesh is light green, thick, firm, sweet and deli- 

 cious. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., Klb. 25 cts. , lb. 70 cts. 

 -PRINCESS, or mLLER'S CREAM. A notably fine 

 variety, with fruits having flesh so thick and seed cavity so 

 small that thej' seem almost solid. The rind is thin, tough, 

 and sparingly netted ; the flesh a rich salmon color, fine- 

 grained, sugary and melting ; the vines are strong-growing 

 and productive ; a good market and shipping melon, and 

 also one of the best sorts for home gardens. Pkt. 5 cts., 

 oz. 10 cts., Klb. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. 

 CHICAGO MARKET. Grown very largely for the mar- 

 kets of the west, and there esteemed as the best of the nut- 

 meg race. The fruits ripen quite early, and are uniformly 

 large and well-shaped; the flesh is thick, light green, and 

 exceedingl}' good. Pkt. 5c., oz. loc, Klb. 25c., lb 70c. 

 OSAGE. This variety produces fine, attractive fruits, which 

 sell quickly in market, and, therefore, is a favorite among 

 truckers. The fruits are large and round, with light green, 

 netted skin and thick, sweet, salmon, colored flesh. Pkt. 5 

 cts., oz. 10 cts , Klb. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. 

 -CASABA or PERSIAN. Large, oblong, oval melons, 

 with thin, netted skin and fine-grained, yellowish green 

 flesh, of rich, melting substance. One of the best sorts 

 grown,. Pkt. sets., oz. 10 cts., Klb. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. 

 'PROLIFIC NUTIIffiG. A very productive sort, with fruits 

 small, but having rich and delightful flesh. Pkt. 5 cts., 

 oz. 10 cts., Klb. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. 



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