The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-11-01
aQritultural an0 Doulsstit.
The Melon.

The Melon is the largest OF all fruits, ana
vet il grows on the lOwest OF irult-OearlhS
plants II is native Of the milder regions
OF Asia, but was introduced into Europe De
fore the time Of Plny as that writer, "hen
treating OF gourds and cucumOefs, AFTER say
ing that "when the cucumber acquires
very considerable size il is known 10 Us a.
the PspO supposed 10 be the pumpkin,
adds--"Ohly Of late a cucumber OF an entire
IL new shape has been produced in Campo
MA having just the form ofthe ounce. The
name given 20 this variety is Mei0 pspO.
This fruit. II is concluded, must have been
the melon. which still bears the botanical
name OF IeLO curcuJtk1. The melon has
been known, also, 10 the Greeks who were
accustomed 20 soak the seeds IN milk and
honey previous 10 sowing them, and even 70
wrap them IN rose leaves, believing that
when thus graded In sweetness the fruit %
which they gave birth could not but be
mild and fragrant. How early il was
brought into Europe is not known with GER
tainty. although il is said % have been cul-
tivated ia England in the time Of Edward
Ill Il l. more probable. however, that 10
was introduced inlO England from Italy
during the reign OF Henry VIII; for an
1926. Gerard. though he had not himself
grown u, vet mentions having seen 10 AZ
also az Lord Sussex house at BermOndsey
where he says, ''lrom year 70 year there is
great plenty, especially 4 the weather be
anything temperate.
A native Of warmer climates and provided
by nature with a rind Of such thickness that
only extreme heat can penetrate TO ripen
the pulp within. when grown IN England D.
needs, in addition 10 the artificial heat, as
much "a heir summer sunshine can sup
Div Ola more genial kind OF warmth. II -
sometimes grown from cuttings, which is q
surer method Of securing an unchanged per
petuaii0n Of The parent plant. But the US
ual mode Of prODagating Is by seeds, which
are tested Ike witches OF OLD. by being
thrown into water. when floating on the
surface ensues the condemnation Of The
melon seed as certainly as 70 once dld thai
Of an Old woman. Though melons are some
times grown ma the south Of England under
hand-giases. Ike cucumbers they cannot
be generally reared there IN the open air..
since sixty-dve Is the least temperature NJ
which the seeds will germina,e ami from
seventy-tve 10 eighty is needed before tie
fruit can be rlpened. A sheltered hOtDed q
therefore essential 10 their cultivation in
that climate.
An annual plant. destined only to exist
for The space OF as few months, and yet toat-
tam large dmentiOns IN all its parts. the
growth Of the melon Is very rapid. the new
w Quickened seed soon sends forth tender.
succulent shoots which, "a they rapidly
lengthen, develop numerous large alter
nately disposed lObed leaves. ACCOMPANIED
by spiral tendrls; and in the course on the
third mouth after sowing. the pale yellow
flowers begin 10 unfold their soft. limp five
cleft cOrOllas. la the course Of five or six
weeks after the setting Of the blossom. the
pOnderOus product may be expected 10 have
finished its rapid course and reached ma
turity, evidenced by it, having attained its
full size; in some sorts, by the gaining also
OF yellOwish tinge. but most certainly by
the exhalatOn OF a powerful but pleasant
OdOr; though some kinds give likewise the
unmistakeabie sign Ofthe stalk cracking in
q little circle close 10 the fruit. In general
il is rather difficult 10 discriminate the exact
stage OF maturity, and only experience can
enable any one TO determine with certainty
the precise time when melon has reached
yet not passed, its perfection. When per
fectly ripe a melon should have no vacuitv
fact ascertalnab.e by the sound given out
on gently knOcking the exterior, and when
cut, the Juice should not run IN a stream
but only gentle exude Ia gem the flesh with
dew-lihv drops OF moisture. Small melons
are generally esteemed rs better than the
large ones. as The cultivation which secures
Increase OF size tends also TO impair flavor
and the bulky giants Of the race. produced
by excessive manuring, are therefore reject
ed by good judges. who desire rather 10
crafty the palate than 10 please the eye.
The fruit should be cut from the vine in the
morning, and the majority OF the finer sorts
should be eaten the day they are gathered.
though If cut a day or two before thew are
ripe. they may be kept for a week in q cool
dark room, and some sorts will even keep
for weeks, under these conditions; for light
has great influence in facilitating the
chemical changes on which the rpeniug
process depends, and its deprivation. there
fore. tends much TO retard decay they should
also, not be land down, but suspended in
nets, so as 10 avoid pressure on the surface.
The careful and expensive methods OF cul-
ture required In England. for the production
OF melons, are not necessary in this country.
where they are found IN great perfection,
anywhere south OF latitude iorty-one or
forty O.-HOrticuittTiSf