La Q^intinie, Jean de (cont.) 
There has been considerable question udiether the "Nouveau 
traits de la culture des melons" is the work of La Qjiintinie, 
Gibault (1905), p.722, considers it spurious. It was first 
included in the edition of Amsterdam, H, Desbordes, 1697, end 
forms part of all subsequent French editions; but the identical 
tract is found in the "Traits de la taille des arbres" (Cell 
et LiSge, 1699) of Ren4 Dahuron, and probably in previous 
editions of this work, 1692, or possibly even 1690, from some 
of which it must have been reprinted by Desbordes in 1697. 
From Dahuron we infer that these instructions csme from an 
expert in melon culture in the Low Countries. 
The "Directions concerning md-ons" which Evelyn had in¬ 
cluded in the English version, "The Compleat Gardener" (1693), 
is entirely different from the melon treatise of the French 
eds Evelyn, however, states that the "Directions" sent him 
some twenty years earlier by La Quintinie, though somewhat 
more ample, la In effect the same as the article on mel® s pub- 
lished in Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. London (v.4, p.901, 923, 16byj. 
La Quintinie»s Letters on Melon Culture published in England 
In the Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. London, v.4, p. 901-903, 923- 
925 (1669) occur two extracts of letters from La Quintinie on 
melon culture. The first is headed: "An extract cf M. Dela 
Quintiny’s Letter, written to the publisher in French some¬ 
time ago, concerning his way of ordering melons; now communi¬ 
cated in English for the satisfaction of several curious fl¬ 
orists in England". A note at end of the letter states: We 
may perhaps the next moneth impart to the Reader another Let¬ 
ter from the same generous and intelligent person, ® 
same subject." In the Apr.12,1669 issue duly occuf Extract 
of a letter of M. Dela Qpintinie, giving some further direc¬ 
tions and observations about Melons; promised in a manner in 
the Number next fore-going". There is a marginal note: This 
letter was wrLtten June 15th. St. Nov. in Paris (Interpreted 
by Seguier, Bib. Bot., p.389, as Nov.15, 1668) 
