WM. C. BECKERT, ALLEGHENY, PA. 



WATER. MELON. (Wassermelone ) 



Although the Water Melon is a tropical fruit, and can be most 

 easily grown at the South on a warm, rich, sandy soil, yet no one 

 need abandon its culture because he has not these conditions, for 

 one of the sweetest melons we ever ate was grown in Michigan, and 

 in the latitude of 45° north, and Cuban Queen weighing O'J pounds 

 have been raised on cold clay soil in Northern Ohio. 



The essential thing in culture is to get a good, strong vine early in 

 the season, which may be secured by forming a large, well-drained 

 hill of rich earth, avoiding using the manure in" such a way as to 

 cause the plant to dry out under the hot sun. On this hill plant the 

 seed as soon as the ground is warm and dry, and carefully protect 

 the young plants from insects, and hasten their growth by the use 

 of liquid manure. 



Uc^One ounce will plant fiO hills 



Green and Gold. Of good size; from twenty-five to 

 forty-five pounds in weight; its productiveness is equal to 

 any of the red-fieshed sorts, while in delicious flavor it is 

 unsurpassed The rind is very thin, the white being onlv 

 from three-eights to one-half inch in thickness. The flesh 

 is a beautiful golden-orange color, free from am- tinge of 

 white or other color, even immediately around the seeds. 

 The flesh is beautifully granular in appearance, juicy and 

 sweet Independent of the delicious flavor of the Green 

 and Gold Water Melon, its rich, golden color will make 

 it most desirable as an ornament for the table, especiallv 

 if its golden slices are arranged in contrast with the crim- 

 son of the older sorts. Pkt , 5 cts.; oz. , 10 cts.; \ lb., 

 30 cts.; lb., $1.00. 



excellent flavor; fruit very large 



Seminole. Oblong in shape, 

 smooth and beautiful propor- 

 tioned. It is of two colors — gray 

 and light green ; the latter seems 

 to be just a darker coloring of 

 the former, and the gray color 

 greatly predominates; melons of 

 both colors are found on the 

 same vines, exactly the same in 

 shape, size, color of seed, flavor, 

 etc. This new melon possesses f ^ 

 four qualities which will make % 

 it the most popular melon ever - 

 offered to the public; it is extra V. 

 early, extra large, enormously 

 productive, and of the most de- ; 

 licious flavor. It is in all respects/ 

 a perfect melon. Pkt. 5 cts.; oz., ^ 

 10 cts ; \- lb., 25 cts.; lb., 80 els. 



Ice Cream or Peerless 

 Fruit of medium size and nearly 

 round; flesh scarlet fn color, crisp 

 and delicious. Pkt., 5 cts.; oz., 

 10 cts.; i lb., 30 cts.; lb., 90 cts. 



Cuban Queen. Grows to a 

 very large size, often weighing 

 80 pounds ; rind thick, flesh 

 bright red; very solid, crisp and 

 good. ' Pkt., 5 cts.; oz., 10 cts.; 

 £lb., 35 cts.; lb., 80 cts. 



Pkt., 5 cts.; oz., 10 cts. 



Green and Gold. 



Ruby Gold Water Melon. The finest melon ever 

 introduced. In shape it is long, often two feet or more, 

 and frequently weighs as high as sixty pounds, though its 

 average weight is about forty pounds each. Its flesh is 

 solid, pure golden yellow, variegated with streaks and 

 layers of bright pink or ruby red which often appear in a 

 star-shaped form. This makes it at once the most beauti- 

 ful, odd and novel melon ever seen. It is also as much 

 superior to other melons in quality as it is in beauty. It 

 has a sweetness and lusciousnesss which no other melon 

 possesses, it being tender, and melts in the mouth like ice 

 cream, without a particle of core or string}- substance. It 

 is very juicy, and does not lose its flavor when it becomes 

 over-ripe, like most sorts. It is solid to tbe center, and 

 ripens close to the rind, which is very thin It is a hardy, 

 robust grower, medium earlv, and sure to give a good 

 crop. Pkt., 10 cts ; oz., 40 cts ; i lb., $1.2S; 'lb., |4 50. 



Vick's Early Long and smooth, rather small ; flesh 

 bright pink; solid and sweet; verv earlv. Pkt., 5 cts.; oz., 

 10 cts.; \- lb., 25 cts.; lb., 80 cts/ 



Scaly Bark. Excellent for shipping; rind thin, but 

 verv tough and strong; flesh light crimson, tender and of 

 ., 30' cts.; lb., 90 cts. 



