The New Student's Reference Work/Muskmelon

Musk′mel′on, various forms of Cucumis melo, a genus of the gourd family and native to southern. The cultivation of muskmelons has become a very important commercial enterprise in North America. There are two general types in the market: (1) the furrowed kinds with hard rind, known as cantaloupes, and (2) the netted kinds with softer rinds, known as nutmeg-melons. The nutmeg-melons are those most commonly seen in the early markets; while the cantaloupes are longer-seasoned varieties. An important strain of the nutmeg type has recently become prominent under the name of osage-melons, which were developed in southern. Musk-melons are a staple food among the inhabitants of, and. Musk-melon growing is extensively carried on in the southern states, and the Mississippi valley in general is peculiarly adapted to the industry. However, as yet supplies half of the market-crop. See.