epics 
MUSKMELONS (CANTALOUPES) _ 
. To really enjoy a muskmelon, fruits should be allowed to fully ripen on 










Burpee’s 
Netted Gem 
544 Burpee’s Netted Gem © 
85 days. (Green Flesh) The variety grown at Rocky 
Ford, Colorado, under the name of Rocky Ford, is 
the Netted Gem which Burpee had the distinction of 
originating and introducing in 1881. A pure Rocky 
Ford Cantaloupe, when ripe, has a silver-colored 
netting which is lace-like in appearance. The skin is 
green, turning to a peculiar gray color when the mel- 
ons are fit for eating. The flesh is green and so sweet 
and luscious that it may be eaten close to the rind. 
Fruits are oval-shaped, firm and solid, weigh 11% to 
2 lbs., slightly ribbed; medium-size seed cavity. 
Pkt. 15¢; oz. 50¢; 14 lb. $1.50 
551 Hale’s Best 936 — Heavy cropper 
85 days. (Salmon-orange Flesh) One of the most widely grown 
strains of Hale’s Best. Developed from Improved 36, it pos- 
sesses all the outstanding features of that special strain and, in 
addition, is somewhat larger, running to even jumbo sizes. 
Pkt. 15¢; oz. 50¢; 1%; lb. $1.50 
Hale’s Best, 
Improved 36 
552 Hale’s Best, Improved 36© 
85 days. (Salmon- orange Flesh) One of the early selections 
made in America’s No. 1 shipping melon, Hale’s Best. Plants 
are vigorous and prolific. Fruits round- oval in shape, weigh 
3 to 4 lbs. each, grow 6 in. long, 5% in. across. The heavy netting 
is uniformly distributed over the surface; flesh i is salmon-orange, 
very thick, firm, finely grained, sweet and spicy with small seed 
cavity. Keeps its quality for a long time. A leading variety for 
long distance shipping; valuable for market and home gardens. 
Pkt. 15¢; oz. 50¢; 1% Ib. $1.50 
88 .. W. ATLEE BURPEE CO., Seed Growers 
‘the vine for, with the exception of Honey Dew, they do not become sweeter 
in flavor after being picked. Fruits are ripe when the stem, attached to the 
melon, will slip from it with a slight touch of the thumb. If the stem does 
not slip off easily, the melon is not ripe and should remain on the vine. Many 
persons can select ripe melons by their aroma. We offer the best varieties. 
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548 Pr ide of Fordhook— kxira choice 
95 days. (Orange Flesh) Developed on Fordhook Farms. The large 
fruits are oval to nearly round in shape and weigh 4 to 5 lbs. each. 
The rind is a blue-gray prior to full edible stage, at which time the 
color changes to a golden yellow. The orange flesh is thick, solid, 
ripens right down to the rind. Seed cavity is small. Unexcelled for 
home and market where a melon with its length of season will mature. 
Pkt. 15¢; oz. 60¢; 1% lb. $1.75 
564 Bender’s Surprise — Very large 
96 days. (Salmon Flesh) Delicious, large, oblong, greenish yellow 
melon, 8 in. long, 7 in. across, with an exquisite netting. Attractive 
salmon-colored flesh of superb-sweet flavor. For the home garden, local 
market, roadside stands and for shipping short distances. Excellent. 
Pkt. 15¢; oz. 45¢3 % Ib. $1.25 
v 
574 Burpee’s Fordhook—spicy 
85 days. (Orange Flesh) A small flattened melon with prominent 
ribs and broad gray netting. The flesh is bright orange, medium thick, 
fairly firm, sweet, spicy, with a high aroma. An early, productive, 
popular melon of convenient size for home and near-by market. 
Pkt. 15¢; oz. 50¢; 1% lb. $1.50 
547 Delicious © —superior quality 
86 days. (Orange Flesh) Melons grow 6 to 6% in. in diameter and 
6% to 7in. long. Moderately ribbed and closely netted. Flesh is bright 
orange, sweet and delicious in flavor. Not suitable for long distance 
shipping. Heavy yielder of fruits that weigh about 5 lbs. each. 
Pkt. 15¢; oz. 50¢; 1% lb. $1.50 
583 New Yorker— Ax excellent keeper 
90 days. (Salmon Flesh) Known as Schoon’s Hard Shell Bender. 
Similar to Bender’s Surprise in shape and general appearance, 
with the added advantage of possessing an extra-hard shell, making 
it a good shipping variety. Fully ripe fruits keep better after harvest 
or stand longer in the field than most varieties. Fruits are deeply 
ribbed, well netted over a yellow skin and weigh from 5 to 8 lbs. The 
salmon flesh is wonderfully sweet and of very fine quality. 
Pkt. 15¢; oz. 50¢; 1% Ib. $1.50 
560 Pride of Wisconsin— Firm flesh 
92 days. (Orange Flesh) A melon which in a few years has become a 
premium priced variety in large Eastern markets. Pride of Wisconsin 
deserves a premium price. It has unsurpassed quality, large size, firm, 
thick orange flesh, strong rind, and heavy netting. Vines are vigorous 
and very productive considering the size of the melons. Fruits are 
nearly round, 6% by 7 in., and weigh 4 to 5 lbs. The rind is blue-gray, 
turning golden when ripe, with sparse but prominent and clear-cut 
netting. Ribs are faint or entirely lacking. Flesh is of excellent flavor 
and edible to the rind. The triangular seed cavity is quite compact. 
Pkt. 15¢; oz. 45¢; 1% lb. $1.25 
584 Tip Top — For home and local markets 
96 days. (Salmon Flesh) Splendid melon, varying in shape from round 
to slightly oblong; average 6% lbs. The pale green skin is ribbed and 
lightly netted. Delicious, deep salmon, sweet, spicy, firm flesh. 
Pkt. 10¢; oz. 40¢; % Ib. $1.20 
555 Hon ey Dew — Good keeper and shipper 
110 days. (Green Flesh) The well-known light green-fleshed melon for 
warm climates; will not do well in the North or East. Smooth, ivory- 
colored skin when ripe; very sweet, juicy flesh clean tothe rind. — 
Pkt. 15¢; oz. 45¢; 1% Ib. $1.25 
How to Grow Muskmelons 
The most suitable soil is a rich, warm, sandy loam. Sow the 
seed after the ground has warmed up, putting 8 to 10 seedsin 
groups, allowing 2 to 3 in. between the seeds and cover with 
1 in. of fine soil. The groups should be spaced 4 to 6 ft. apart 
each way. Thin to 2 or 3 plants to a group after the plants are 
well established. Well-rotted manure dug into the soil where 
seeds are to be planted and side dressings of commercial ferti-- 
lizer after the plants have begun to grow are usually beneficial. . 
A pkt. will plant 12 groups, 1 oz. 50 groups or so-called ‘“‘hills’’, 
—a term that is misleading to many gardeners, 

