The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-18
TRAGEDY or A CITROMELON.
A New Invention by Uncle sam weighe 30
Pounds when IL was Ope0edi

WASHINGTON, Aug. IT.--When . fellow
has his appetite for watermelon whetted
up to; the razor edge point it is awful to DO
Disappointed"
That's the way a scientist Of the Agri-
cultufal Department feels about it.
The department scientists woes arose in
thisw wise. For some days past at the o
hour watermelons. halved. quartered or
slioed,Abave adorned many windows of the
converted dwellings on B street where are
housed the employees OF the Bureau of
Plant Industry. A remark was made bout
this evidence OF a liking for melons that
would do credit to an Alabama darby Of
the old time stripe.
The information was volunteered that
these were citromelons and not water
melons. Now. a citromelon is a cross be-
tween a citron and a watermelon, a for
the purpose Of producing a fruit that will
successfully withstand a certain melon dis
ease down in Alabama. An expert OF the
department is down there patiently devel-
oping the new species.
He has been remarkably successful so far
as turning out a disease resisting melon is
concerned. . SO samples Of the citromeion
rave been passed around to be tested from
the standpoint OF an expert and the seeds
returned for future USE.
The 1citromelon looks for all the world
like a big round watermelon, and sometimes
tastes like one. Sometimes. because the
scientist in question, h considers him.
self a real expert in this particular line.
asseyerates that there was something
wrong with the one sent him.
Many splendid reports were returned.
together with the carefully preserved seeds,
but this gentleman's wal most discoursging.
The melon was a fine specimen. weighing
at least thirty pounds-about the size. ever
which Rastus would eloat only long enough
60 reach for the carving knife.
The expert went to the pains OF devising
q special continuance Tor conveying the
melon to his home, it being entirely too fine
to sample in the business atmosphere of
the Office. II was finally lande s,fely at
home after much care and pain.
The refrigerator was emptied OF every
thing else but ice to make room for the
beauty. Then a family council was called
which lasted a long time. h decision
was TO keep Mr.. Melon on ice for twenty
four hours and invite in some friends 70 the
cutting.
Meanwhile the expert got to work on his
appetite with al imaginary MILESTONE.
half and tbe resi- Of the househoId had no
trouble working up appetites quite as sharp.
The guests received glowing recount Of
Mr.. Melon and their appetites, 10 say moth
ing Of their curiosity. were ~sharpened for
the fray.
The testing was to be 80 special that the
expert arranged TO leave his once early
In order to insure ample time to do an artis-
tic bit OF carving in honor OF the occasion.
Dinner over. the melon was brought forth
and set in the midst by the butler. whose
eyes fairly popped out OF his head-for he
came from the region where Mr.. Melon
originated. Everybody said IL was just
lovely. And it was, TO all Appearances.
When the finely sharpened knife sank
into it the feel was all right. toe But
when the two halves were turned over a
chorus OF Mortified shrieks rent the air
melon was as green as q u
Now, wouldn't that make a nan say
things?' asked he deeply blushing scien-
tist. h saw his reputation as an expert
fading away in the misty distance. why.
Nv not been 80 disappointed in years. My
appetite for a piece Of melon was worked
up to a fine point, especially since it was
my first melon this season and looked 90
very promising. The comedown was some
thing awful-a rapid fall from the heights
Of bliss to the valley OF darkest despair.
after vainly endeavoring to assuage our
disappointment by the bits OF philosophy
which kindly suggested themselves to our
sad minds. The discovery was mad that
the melon was quite immature In spite OF
its great size n splendid appearance.
The seed was as white as chalk and only
partially developed.
SO we're all still wondering what the
melon would have been il left 10 mature
the services OF a Missouri mule would be
required to tote It home"