THE FINEST MUSKMELONS. 



WM. G. BECKERT. 



ALLEGHENY. PA. 



Melons, 



;-Bk[onen.) 



\ All seeds by weight 



t or packet sent post- 



♦ paid at prices given, 



J except where other- 



; wise noted. 



Extra-Early Hackensack. 



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 conditions, still under the colder skies of the north, and 

 even on indifferent soils, which have been properly enriched, fine and lus- 

 cious fruits can be grown. One of the sweetest melons I ever ate was grown 

 in Michigan, 45° north 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 

 class, as the pollen from the flowers will mix, and the fruits of the melons 

 thus iDe injured. This, and heavy rains at the time of ripening, will destroy 

 the flavor of fruits from the finest stock. 



MUSKMELONS. 



AU Muskmelon seeds will be mailed postpaid at prices quoted. 



Muskmelon 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. Plantfroni 6 to 12 seeds ina hill, and when the young seedlings 

 ar&^trong enough to resist the attacks of insects, thin them, leaving three of the strongest in each hill. The vines should have clean 

 cuftivation 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 

 3/nches long, thus causing them to set more fruits and develop them to finer size. An ounce of seed will plant about 80 hills. 



V EXTRA.-EARLY HACKENSACK. ^ PRINCESS, or PERFECTION. A 



notably fine variety, with fruits having 

 flesh so thick and seed cavity so small 

 that they 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., Vi\h. 25 cts., lb. 60 cts. 



ANQUET. The fruits are of medium 

 size, flattened at both ends, and beauti- 

 fully 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. Pkt. 5 cts., 

 oz. 10 cts., J^lb. 25 cts., lb. 60 cts. 



CHICAGO MARKET. The fruits 

 ripen quite early, and are uniformly 

 large and well-shaped ; the flesh is thick, 

 light green, and exceedingly good. Pkt. 

 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., ViVo. 25 cts., lb. 60 cts. 

 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. 



\J THE COLTJ3IBUS. Of good marketable size ; skin bright glossy yellow when ripe ; deep green flesh ; small seed cavity; quality 

 excellent. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., '/{lb. 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. loc, 3€lb. 25c., lb. 70c. 

 _^ PROLIFIC NUTMEG. A very productive sort, with fruits small, but having 

 rich and delightful flesh. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., ^Ib. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. 



IRONDEQUOIT. Similar to Miller's Cream, but larger. It has the same exquisite 

 nectar flavor as that fine variety. The fruit is 12 to 15 inches in diameter, round and 

 ribbed. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. to cts., Klb. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. 



JENNY LIND. An extra-early green-fleshed and very sweet variety. Fruits flat, 

 globe-shaped, ribbed and lightly netted, of medium size. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., 

 ^Ib. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. 



/'^MELROSE. Color rich dark green, shape oval; fruit weighs about four pounds, 

 densely netted ; flesh very thick and solid, light green, changing to rich salmon at the 

 seed cavity ; unsurpassed in flavor and sweetness. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts. J^lb. 25 cts., 

 lb. 70 cts. 



TIP-TOP A distinct variety, unexcelled in uniform good quality ; every fruit, pro- 

 duced early or late, is a good one. Sweet, juicy, of fine flavor, firm, but not hard-fleshed. 

 Pkt. 5 cts. , oz. 10 cts. , 3ilb. 25 cts. , lb. 70 cts. 



NETTED GEM (Golden Gem). Almost perfect globe-shaped ; small and uniform, 

 averaging i K to 2 pounds ; thick meated, flesh light green in color, and uniformly of fine 

 luscious flavor; skin ribbed and thickly netted; very prolific. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., 

 Klb. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. • 



BANANA. In shape it is like a banana. Grows 18 inches to 2 feet in length ; flesh 

 rich salmon color, of delicious fragrance, and when the melons are thoroughly ripe the 

 quality is excellent. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., 3€lb. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. 



20 * 



A careful selection from the Hacken- 

 sack, and with fruits much like the pa- 

 rents in shape and quality of the flesh, 

 but ready for market ten days earlier. 

 They are of good size, weighing from 5 to 

 10 pounds each. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., 

 ^Ib. 25 cts., lb. 70 cts. 

 — HACKENSACK, or TURK'S CAP. 

 The fruits grow to fine size, are roundish 

 flat, irregularh' ribbed and densely 

 netted; the' flesh is light green, thick, 

 sweet and juicy. The vines are produc- 

 tive. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., 3^1b. 25 cts., 

 lt>. 70 cts. 



^EMERALD GEM. An extra-early 

 variety, with small, smooth-ribbed, dark 

 green fruits ; the flesh is thick and salmon- 

 colored, granular, sweet and rich ; very 

 attractive to the eye when served on the 

 table, as well as delicious and satisfving 

 to the taste ; the vines bear heavilv. 

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

 70 cts. 



MILLER S CREAM, or OSAGE. 



Emerald Gem. 



