468 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
Striped Class, (5) Dull Striped Class, and (6) Mottled 
Green Class. Each class is divided into two or three 
types. Many distinct varieties are offered by our seeds- 
men, the following being largely planted: 
Kleckley Sweet or Monte Cristo, exceedingly popu- 
lar in many melon-growing districts, is a large, oval, 
dark green, somewhat mottled, melon of superior quality. 
Kolb Gem is a favorite bright-red fleshed melon highly 
valued for commercial purposes. 
Cuban Queen is a large melon which has been exten- 
sively grown for many years. 
Halbert Honey is a large, attractive, sweet, tender sort, 
popular wherever it is known. 
Dixie is an early, productive variety of good quality. 
Sugar Stick is a large, light-green melon of handsome 
appearance, fine flavor and of excellent shipping quali- 
ties. 
Cole’s Early and Fordiiook are very early varieties and 
popular in northern districts where climatic conditions 
are not favorable for melon culture. 
672. Climate. — The watermelon thrives best in the 
South, where the seasons are long, the day and night 
temperatures high, and where frost seldom interferes 
with the progress of the young plants or the ripening 
of the fruits. The watermelon is more sensitive to cold 
than the muskmelon. Most of the varieties require a 
longer season in which to mature. While this vegetable 
demands heat, sunshine and a long summer, it is produced 
successfully in the North when proper cultural condi- 
tions are provided and suitable varieties used. 
673. Soil. — A sandy soil well adapted to muskmelons 
(510) is equally suitable for watermelons. A sandy top 
soil with a well-drained subsoil is considered ideal. 
674. Seed. — The most successful growers are very par- 
ticular in regard to the character of the seed which they 
use. Breeding plats are sometimes maintained, because 
