MELONS AT WISLEY, 1007. 



281 



MELONS AT WISLEY, 1007. 



A trial of fifty-three stocks of melons was made in the Society's gardens, 

 seeds being sent by many of the leading firms. All of them were sown at 

 the end of April, and when the seedlings were large enough they were 

 planted out on mounds of soil consisting of strong loam, with a little well- 

 decayed leaf-mould added to make it porous ; each mound consisted of 

 about one bushel of soil, and as the roots came through a slight surfacing 

 of similar compost was added. This was done about every ten days, until 

 the fruit was nearly its full size. A dressing of Peruvian guano, at the 

 rate of 2 oz. to each plant, was given twice during the growing season. 

 No other manure was used. The results were so good that the Fruit and 

 Vegetable Committee complimented the Superintendent on the admirable 

 condition of the plants, and the heavy crop of fine fruits. The trial filled 

 one span-roofed house, and a frame 100 feet long. In both structures 

 the results were equally satisfactory. 



F.C.C. = First-class Certificate. 

 A.M. = Award of Merit. 



1, 2. A 1 (Sutton, Barr). — Fruit large, averaging 5 lb. each, each 

 plant carrying four fruits ; oval ; lemon-yellow colour, heavily netted ; 

 flesh thick, scarlet, melting, and of fine flavour. Constitution strong, 

 free setter, and early in coming to maturity. 



3. Algerian (Barr). — A Cantaloupe variety that grew freely, but pro- 

 duced no fruit. 



4, 5. Best of All (Sutton, Barr). — Fruit large, averaging 4 lb. each, 

 each plant carrying four fruits ; round ; creamy-yellow skin, heavily 

 netted ; flesh green, thick, very good flavour. Constitution strong, free 

 setter, and early in coming to maturity. 



6. Black Portugal (Barr). — Fruits very large, averaging 5 lb. each, 

 each plant bearing four fruits ; skin black, but when ripe spotted with 

 yellow, ribbed, no netting. Good constitution, free setter. Flesh 

 yellow, thick, and of fair flavour. A Cantaloupe variety. 



7. Blenheim Orange, F.C.C. September 14, 1880 (Barr).— Fruit of 

 medium size, averaging 3^ lb. each, each plant bearing four fruits ; 

 shape deep round ; skin creamy-yellow, heavily netted ; flesh very 

 thick, scarlet, melting, delicious flavour. A strong grower and very free 

 setter, arriving quickly at maturity. 



8. Charles Ross, A.M. August 9, 1907 (Ross). — Fruit of medium size, 

 averaging about 3 lb. each, each plant carrying four fruits ; shape 

 flattish round ; skin greenish-yellow, well netted. Fine constitution, and 

 free setter. Flesh green, melting, thick, and excellent flavour. 



9. Countess of Derby (Barr). — Fruit of medium size, averaging four 

 fruits to a plant, each about 3 lb. ; shape oval ; skin green, marked with 

 patches of yellow ; flesh green, thick, melting, and of good flavour. 

 A strong grower and free setter, moderately early in coming to maturity. 



