Ribsam’s Manual 
Martin C. Ribsam & Sons Co 
{18> 
MUSKMELON 
German, Zucker Melone; Italian, 
Popone; Polish, Melon 
I oz. will plant about 75 hills, 2 lbs. will 
plant an acre 
Melons thrive best in moderately enriched 
light soil. The hills should be 6 feet apart 
each way. Previous to planting, incorporate 
well with the soil in each hill a couple of 
shovelfuls of thoroughly rotted manure. 
Plant out fifteen seeds in each hill early in 
May and when well up, thin out to three 
or four of the most promising. Pinch off the 
leading shoots as the growth becomes so 
luxuriant, and if the fruit sets out numer¬ 
ously, thin out when young, which will 
increase the size of those remaining and 
cause them to ripen quicker. 
HALE’S BEST, No. 112. 70 days. Since 
its introduction this variety has displaced 
some of the older popular favorites by 
its outstanding merit. An early Melon, 
ripening in 70 to 80 days. The nearly 
round fruits are normally 6 to 634 in. 
long, densely covered with medium heavy 
netting and are almost devoid of ribbing. 
The flesh is very thick and fine grained, 
deep salmon pink in color and richly 
flavored. Oz. 10c., J4 lb. 40c., lb. Si.25. 
HEART OF GOLD or HOODOO 80 days. Midseason; flesh 
thick, deep salmon color, of high quality, fruit medium size, 
round. Tendency to heart shape, gray netted, well ribbed. 
Oz. 10c., U lb. 35c., lb. Si.00. 
EXTRA EARLY KNIGHT or SUGAR SWEET. 70 days. 
An extremely early medium size Melon of the Rocky Ford 
type, very sweet. Color, medium green, closely netted. It is 
the earliest high quality Melon grown in the Northern states. 
Oz. 10c., H lb. 40c., lb. $1.25. 
FORDHOOK. 75 days. Orange flesh roughly netted, the flesh 
very thick, resembles Jenny Lind in shape. Very strong, 
vigorous grower, branching frequently setting five to nine 
Melons close to hill. Oz. 10c., j4 lb. 35c., lb. SI.00. 
ROCKY FORD. 75 days. Nutmeg shape, small to medium 
in size, pale green, finely netted, flesh green, quality very fine. 
Oz. 10c., 34 lb. 40c., lb. SI.25. 
PAUL ROSE or OSAGE. 75 days. This salmon fleshed Musk- 
melon surpasses anything yet introduced. The color is of a 
beautiful netted gray underlaid by dark green rind; the 
flavor is delicious; flesh, salmon, very thick and extra¬ 
ordinarily sweet, size of the Netted Gem. Oz. 10c., J4 lb. 
40c., lb. SI.25. 
EXTRA EARLY HACKENSACK. 65 days. A week to ten 
days earlier than the old Hackensack. Small foliage. Profit¬ 
able for market. Most in demand in New York and eastern 
markets. Oz. 10c., lb. 40c., lb. $1.25. 
Hale’s Best No. 112 Muskmelon 
WATERMELONS 
German, Wasser-Melone; Italian, Melone d’Aqua; 
Polish, Melon Wodny 
Cultivate exactly as for Muskmelon, except that the hills 
should be just double the distance apart, namely, 8 and 10 feet. 
KLECKLEY’S SWEET. 80 days. Most popular for home 
market. Medium size, oblong; dark green color; flesh, bright 
scarlet; solid heart; crisp, sugary and entirely free from 
stringiness. Pkt. 5c., oz. 10c., 34 lb. 25c., lb. 75c. 
TOM WATSON. 80 days. Large, oblong Melon, dark green 
skin, with thick netting; rind thin, tough; flesh, bright red; 
very sweet. Oz. 10c., J4 lb. 25c., lb. 75c. 
DIXIE. 90 days. Large, dark rind Melon, oblong; quality 
good, an excellent market sort. Oz. 10c., 34 lb. 25c., lb. 75c. 
HALBERT HONEY. 80 days. Shape oblong, dark green rind; 
flesh, crimson and very sweet. Medium early, similar to 
Kleckley’s Sweet, seed white. Oz. 10c., lb. 25c., lb. 75c. 
LONG LIGHT ICING or GRAY MONARCH. 75 days. 
A very large, long, light rind Melon; flesh crimson. Oz. 10c., 
lb. 25c., lb. 75c. 
SWEETHEART. 90 days. One of the best market Melons. 
Flesh bright red, solid and very tender, melting and sweet. 
The Melons retain their good quality for a long time after 
ripening. Oz. 10c., lb. 25c., lb. 75c. 
Watermelon Tom Watson 
