Page:The family kitchen gardener - containing plain and accurate descriptions of all the different species and varieties of culinary vegetables (IA familykitchengar56buis).pdf/77

 sprinklings with the syringe, or from the rose of a watering pot.

The red spider is a pest to the Melon. It is a very minute red insect, quick in its movements, generally on the under side of the leaf. When observed, lift up the vines and turn them over, exposing the under surfaces of the leaves; then give them a syringing with soap suds. One or two such doses will destroy it, when pure water may be more frequently used, for it is too dry an atmosphere that genders this pest of the gardener.

Within a few years past, Europe has resounded with the praise of very extraordinary Melons from Persia and Cabul, so much so that we were induced to import two varieties to test their merits in this climate. One variety was very small, about half a pound weight, of a fine, smooth, round form, flesh quite yellow and high flavored, but too small for general culture. The other was opposite in every character, being large, oval, with a rough, white rind, flesh reddish-yellow, looked very tempting, but tasted much like a Pumpkin. Each seed cost sixpence sterling.

Water Melon is purely a tropical fruit, wisely adapted to the wants of the inhabitants of those countries, who greatly appreciate it for its refreshing coolness, and delicious flavor. It is a grateful beverage in warm weather. It is no way nutrieious, but its seeds are considered a valuable remedy in urinary complaints. There are several sorts cultivated extensively in New Jersey, even to thousands of acres, for the supply of the Philadelphia and New York markets, viz.:

Long Green, Mountain Sprout, Carolina, Spanish, and occasionally a White variety—all fine sorts, though we prefer the 4