Henderson's Handbook of Plants and General Horticulture Volume 2

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 Excerpt: ...The best time to place the spawn under the sod is from middle of May to middle of June, and in a favorable season a fair crop can be expected the following September, or in three or four months from time of planting. Musk Mallow. See Malta. Muskmelon. Cucumin melo. See Cucumis. The cultivation of the Muskmelon was carried on at a very remote period. It is said to be a native of the central part of Asia, and to have been brought into Europe from Persia; but the date of its iirst culture is so remote that there is no certain knowledge on the subject. It appears to have been brought Into Italy early in the flrst century, if not before, as it is mentioned ty Pliny, who died from suffocation caused by the great eruption of Vesuvius in A. D. 7'J. In his works he describes the methods by which Melons were frown or forced, so as to be obtained for the mperor Tiberius at all times of the year. Of the Melon there are many varieties. Of the various classes of Melons, one of the oldest and best is the Cantaloup, which, according to M. Jacquin, derives its name from Cantalouppi, a seat belonging to the Pope, near Rome, where this sort, brought from Armenia by the missionaries, was first cultivated. The flesh of this, with its varieties, is yellowish or pink. Tho Nutmeg and Citron varieties, which are the more common in our markets, are supposed to be the African or Egyptian Melons of the early writers. The Melons of Persia have long borno a high character, and differ matez'ially from the varieties commonly cultivated. They are extremely rich and sweet, and instead of the thick rind of the common melons, they have a very thin and delicate skin, which makes a fruit of the same apparent size contain nearly twice as much edible flesh. From this peculiarity they are difficul...