THE FIELD AND GARDEN VEGETABLES OF AMERICA
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ce relative to the various methods of propagation and culture, now in general practice, can be readily obtained. But, with regard to the characteristics which distinguish the numerous va
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unds will be required for one acre. _Use._--"The roots are the parts generally used, and are boiled, stewed, and also eaten cold, sliced in vinegar and oil. They enter into mixed salads,
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eeds best; and, as its quality is considered superior, it is now more generally cultivated than the Red. WHITE GLOBE MANGEL WURZEL. A sub-variety of the Yellow and Red Globe, which, in
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part. Skin deep purple, varying to some extent in depth of shade, but generally very dark. Flesh purple at the outer part of the root, and yellow at the centre or heart; fine grained, sug
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when they are three-quarters boiled. The plants are tender, and are generally destroyed early in autumn by frost. The tubers must be taken up before freezing weather, packed in sand, an
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habit of the plant; size, form, and color of the tubers; quality and general excellence; and comparative value for cultivation. They are obtained from seeds; the latter being quite smal
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very dry, mealy, and farinaceous, exceedingly well flavored, and, in general excellence, surpassed by few, if any, of the late varieties. It is also healthy, hardy, and very productive;
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rgest part. The Long Scarlet Radish, with its sub-varieties, is more generally cultivated for market in the Eastern, Middle, and Western States, than any other, or perhaps even more than
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Eng. In this country it has been widely disseminated, and is now more generally cultivated for table use and for stock than any other of the Swede varieties. The plants seldom fail to for
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their growth, and be ready for harvesting. The slips, or sprouts, are generally obtained by setting the tubers in a hot-bed in March or April, and breaking off or separating the sprouts f
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nt, the roots sometimes attain a weight of eight or ten pounds. It is generally cultivated as a field turnip, but is also sown as a garden variety; the roots being of good quality for the
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t are seldom used for reproduction; the cloves, or small bulbs, being generally employed for this purpose. It is used and cultivated as the Common Garlic. * * *
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ed and clouded with green, while the portion produced below ground is generally clear white. Flesh white, fine-grained, sugary, and remarkably mild flavored. It forms its bulb early and
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n eat the heads raw with vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper; but they are generally preferred when boiled. _Varieties._-- DARK-RED SPINED. Bud very small. The variety is remarkable for th
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er like circumstances with the Battersea. The top is greener, and not generally so plump and close; but it is considered finer flavored. Both varieties are, however, held in great estimat
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r inches in length, an inch and a half or two inches in diameter, and generally produced in pairs; flesh tender, crisp, and well flavored. When ripe, the fruit is deep-yellow or yellowish
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ANTALOUPE. _Loud._ A large-fruited, late variety; form variable, but generally round, and flattened at the ends; size large,--ten inches in diameter, eight inches deep, and weighing eigh
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PIE-MELON. California Pie-melon. Plant running,--the foliage and general habit resembling the Common Water-melon, but yet distinguishable by its larger size, more hairy stem, and its
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h Summer Warted Crookneck Squash.] Plant dwarfish or bushy in habit, generally about two feet and a half in height or length; fruit largest at the blossom-end, and tapering gradually to
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inter, if stored in a dry, warm situation. The flesh is sweet, though generally coarse-grained and watery. It is used in soups and stews, and also for pies; but is seldom served like squa
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very much resembles the Dwarf Green Curled in the nature, color, and general appearance of the leaves: the heart-leaves, however, fold over each other, somewhat like those of a cabbage,
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ng and narrow; the veins and midribs green; the head is greenish, and generally covered by the leaves. This variety and the Purple Cape often become intermixed, and are liable to degener
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ur inches apart in the rows. EARLY WAKEFIELD. Head of medium size, generally somewhat conical, but sometimes nearly round, compact; leaves very glaucous; stalk small. A fine, early va
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s, in many instances, being quite unimportant. In the color, foliage, general habit, and even in the quality, of the entire list, there is great similarity. EARLY LONDON CAULIFLOWER. L
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t four small heads, almost equal in delicacy to Brussels Sprouts, are generally formed. This sort is exceedingly hardy; and, on the whole, must be considered a valuable acquisition. The
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any soil or situation. Though it may be propagated from seeds, it is generally increased by a division of the roots, which may be made in spring or autumn. These should be set in rows tw
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ardiest of the species, propagates more readily than Alpine plants in general, and is said to compare favorably in quality with the Mountain Sorrel or Patience Dock. COMMON SORREL. R.
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the roots; but, as it is easily grown from seeds, this method is not generally practised. _Use._--The leaves have a warm, piquant taste, and, when bruised, resemble cucumbers in odor. T
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tively tender, with the flavor of the stalks of Common Celery, though generally less mild and delicate. It is principally valued for its remarkable hardiness and for its keeping propertie
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ower, it does not exceed eighteen inches in height. It deserves more general cultivation, as affording a pleasant addition to the varieties of small salads. The seeds are of a paler col
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frilled, or curled, on the borders; the upper surface of the mid-ribs generally tinged with red. The leaves of the centre are not numerous, and much curled: resting upon those of the exte
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or Imperial Cabbage Lettuce, with white seeds, was at one period more generally cultivated in small gardens than any other variety; and though some of the recently introduced sorts excel
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s; and sometimes produces several distinct heads: these, however, are generally loosely formed, and not of the fine, tender quality of the Paris varieties. OAK-LEAVED COS. Romaine à Fe
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ties. * * * * * RAPE. This plant is generally cultivated for its seeds, like Mustard. It is, however, sometimes grown for salad; the seeds being sown in
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lture._--Any warm, mellow, garden soil is suited to its growth. It is generally propagated by dividing the roots, which may be done either in spring or in autumn. After thoroughly stirrin
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iption of soil or situation. It is sometimes grown from seeds, but is generally propagated by dividing the roots, which increase rapidly, and soon entirely occupy the ground. They are tak
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mber. _Propagation and Culture._--It may be grown from seeds, but is generally propagated by dividing the roots either in the spring or fall, and planting the divisions ten inches apart,
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rom seeds or by dividing the roots; the latter method, however, being generally practised. The young shoots are used in all the forms of Summer Savory. SHRUBBY SAVORY. Saturjea viminea
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sting. They are kidney-shaped, a little flattened, and of large size; generally measuring three-fourths of an inch long, and three-eighths of an inch thick. Twelve hundred and fifty are c
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, barren runners, eighteen inches or two feet in length; but they are generally of short duration, and the variety is treated as other Dwarfs. The pods are small and straight; usually ab
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ted as late in the season as the first week in July, the variety will generally ripen perfectly; and, when cultivated for its green pods, plantings may be made at any time during the mont
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a hundred and twenty-three days. Planted early in June, the pods will generally all ripen; but, if the planting is delayed to the last of the month, the crop will but partially mature, un
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ds, however, are much smaller, and remarkable for their uniform size; generally measuring three inches in length, and about seven-eighths of an inch in width: they are green and wrinkled
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and marbled with black. LARGE LENTIL. _Law._ Flowers small, white, generally two, but sometimes three, on each peduncle; the pods are three-fourths of an inch long, half an inch broad,
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tem about three feet high, which is sometimes branching. The pods are generally produced in pairs, but are also sometimes single, and vary from twelve to sixteen on each plant. They are f
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succeeding joint to the greatest extremity of the plant. The pods are generally single, but frequently in pairs, about three inches and a half long, slightly curved, and terminate abruptl
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. _Cot. Gard._ Plant strong and robust, six to seven feet high; pods generally single, but occasionally in pairs, and from three inches and a half to four inches and a quarter long. They
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onsistence, without imparting color or flavor; and in this form it is generally used. There are three varieties:-- BIFORMED-LEAVED. _Mill._ Plant larger than that of the Oval-leaved;
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than those of the Broad-leaved, and the seed-vessels are smaller. Now generally cultivated because of its greater hardiness. * * * * * SAFFRON. _Law._ Sa
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e engraving, will give an accurate idea of its size, form, color, and general character: "The size rarely much exceeds that of a large walnut. Its form is rounded, sometimes kidney-shaped
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ate of New England. ILLINOIS WHITE. Western White. Similar in its general character to the Illinois Yellow. Kernel rice-white; cob generally white, but sometimes red. KING PHILIP, O
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.] Stem two feet and a half high, sometimes branched at the top, but generally undivided; leaves large, and, as in all varieties, five-lobed; flowers yellow, purple at the centre; pods e
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,--usually an inch and a half in diameter; fruit sometimes erect, but generally drooping. Though one of the largest varieties, the Sweet Spanish is also one of the earliest. The flesh is
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ather, or by mid-winter, it will be ready for market; for which it is generally packed in damp weather, in boxes containing from two to four hundred pounds. A fair average yield per acre
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WHITE TOMATO. Plant similar in habit to the Large Red; fruit large, generally ribbed, often irregular, but sometimes comparatively smooth. Its distinguishing characteristic is its color
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tory, 538. Flander's Hotspur, 529. Flanagan's Early, 545. General Wyndham, 539. Golden Hotspur, 529, 535. Green Prussian, 525. Groom's Superb, 526. Hair's Defi
breadth,--the size, however, varying to a considerable extent in the
different varieties. An ounce contains from nine hundred to eleven
hundred seeds; and they retain their germinative properties from eight
to ten years.
_Varieties._--These are exceedingly numerous, in consequence of the
great facility with which the various kinds intermix, or hybridize.
Varieties are, however, much more easily produced than retained:
consequently, old names are almost annually discarded from the
catalogues of seedsmen and gardeners; and new names, with superior
recommendations, offered in their stead. The following list embraces
most of the kinds of much prominence or value now cultivated either in
Europe or this country:--
BEECHWOOD.
Fruit nearly spherical, but rather longer than broad,--usually five or
six inches in diameter; skin greenish-yellow, thickly and regularly
netted; flesh green, melting, sugary, and excellent. An early and fine
variety.
BLACK-ROCK CANTALOUPE. _Loud._
A large-fruited, late variety; form variable, but generally round, and
flattened at the ends; size large,--ten inches in diameter, eight inches
deep, and weighing eight or ten pounds. The skin varies in color from
grayish-green to deep-green; becomes yellow at maturity, and is thickly
spread with knobby bunches, or small protuberances. Rind very thick;
flesh reddish-orange, melting, and sugary. It requires a long season for
its full perfection.
CHRISTIANA.
This variety was originated by the late Capt. Josiah Lovett, of Beverly,
Mass. Form roundish; size rather small,--average specimens measuring
nearly the same as the Green Citron; skin yellowish-green; flesh yellow,
sweet, juicy, and of good quality. Its early maturity is its principal
recommendation; the Green Citron, Nutmeg, and many other varieties,
surpassing it in firmness of flesh, sweetness, and general excellence.
It would probably ripen at the North, or in short seasons, when other
sorts generally fail.
CITRON.
Green-fleshed Citron. Green Citron.
[Illustration: Green Citron Melon.]
Fruit nearly round, but flattened slightly at the ends,--deeply and very
regularly ribbed; size medium, or rather small,--average specimens
measuring about six inches in diameter, and five inches and a half in
depth; skin green, and thickly netted,--when fully mature, the green
becomes more soft and mellow, or of a yellowish shade; flesh green,
quite thick, very juicy, and of the richest and most sugary flavor. It
is an abundant bearer, quite hardy, and remarkably uniform in its
quality. It is deservedly the most popular as a market sort; and for
cultivation for family use, every thing considered, has few superiors.
In common with the Carolina Water-melon, the Green Citron is extensively
grown at the South for shipping to the northern portions of the United
States; appearing in the markets of New York and Boston three or four
weeks in advance of the season of those raised in the same vicinity in
the open ground.
EARLY CANTALOUPE.
This variety possesses little merit aside from its very early maturity.
It is a roundish melon, flattened a little at the ends, ribbed, and of
comparatively small size; usually measuring about five inches in
diameter. Skin yellowish, often spotted with green, and sometimes a
little warty; rind quite thick; flesh reddish-orange, sweet, and of good
flavor.
It is exceedingly variable in size, form, and color.
HARDY RIDGE. _Loud._
Fruit rather small, round, depressed, strongly ribbed, and irregularly
warted all over its surface; skin dull yellow, mottled with dull green;
flesh an inch thick, bright orange-red, sweet, and well flavored; rind
thick; weight from three to four pounds. Not an early, but a productive
variety.
LARGE-RIBBED NETTED.
Common Musk-melon.
[Illustration: Large Netted Musk-melon.]
Fruit very large, oval, strongly ribbed; skin yellow, very thickly
netted, sometimes so closely as to cover nearly the entire surface;
flesh salmon-yellow, remarkably thick and sweet, but not fine-grained or
melting, when compared with the more recent and improved varieties.
Hardy and productive. In good soil and favorable seasons, the fruit
sometimes attains a length of fifteen inches, and weighs upwards of
twenty pounds.
MUNROE'S GREEN FLESH. _Vil._
A comparatively new variety. The fruit is nearly spherical, but tapers
slightly towards the stem, and is rather regularly as well as distinctly
ribbed. Its diameter is about five inches. Cicatrix large; skin
greenish-yellow, thickly and finely netted over the entire surface; rind
thin; flesh green, remarkably transparent, comparatively thick, very
melting, and highly perfumed.
NUTMEG.
Fruit oval, regularly but faintly ribbed, eight or nine inches in
length, and about six inches in its broadest diameter; skin pale-green,
and very thickly netted; rind thin; flesh light-green, rich, sweet,
melting, and highly perfumed.
The Nutmeg Melon has been long in cultivation, and is almost everywhere
to be found in the vegetable garden, though seldom in a perfectly
unmixed state. When the variety is pure, and the fruit perfectly
ripened, it is of most delicious excellence, and deservedly ranked as
one of "the best."
ORANGE CANTALOUPE.
An oval variety, about six inches in length by five inches in diameter,
rather prominently ribbed. Skin yellow, marbled with green, thickly
netted about the stem, and sparsely so over the remainder of the
surface; rind thick; flesh reddish-orange, sweet, highly perfumed, and
of good flavor. Very early and productive.
PINE-APPLE.
Form roundish, inclining to oval, either without ribs or with
rib-marking, very faintly defined; size small,--the average diameter
being about five inches and a half; skin olive-green, with net-markings
more or less abundant; rind thin; flesh green, melting, sweet, and
perfumed. Season early.
It is an excellent sort, easily grown, and very productive.
PRESCOTT CANTALOUPE. _Vil._
Fruit generally somewhat flattened, but variable in form, deeply ribbed;
size large,--well-grown specimens measuring eight or ten inches in
diameter, and weighing from seven to nine pounds; skin thickly covered
with small tubercles; color varying from grayish-green to clear-green,
more or less deep, changing to yellow at maturity; rind very thick;
flesh orange-red, sugary and melting, and of delicious flavor.
There are numerous sub-varieties, as grown by different gardeners,
varying somewhat in form, color, and time of maturity; all, however,
corresponding nearly with the above description, though known by
different names, as the "White," "Gray," "Black," "Prescott," &c. Much
esteemed in France, and extensively grown by market-gardeners in the
vicinity of Paris.
SKILLMAN'S FINE-NETTED.
This variety much resembles the Pine-apple. Form rounded, flattened
slightly at the ends; flesh green, sugary, melting, and excellent. It
has been pronounced "the earliest of the green-fleshed sorts."
VICTORY OF BATH.
A recently introduced variety of English origin. Fruit egg-shaped,
faintly ribbed, rounded at the blossom-end, and slightly contracted
towards the stem,--at the insertion of which, it is flattened to a
small, plane surface; size medium,--about six inches deep, and five
inches in diameter; skin green, clouded with yellow, and sparsely
covered with fine net-markings; skin thin; flesh green.
* * * * *
PERSIAN MELONS. _Trans._
These differ remarkably from the varieties commonly cultivated. They are
destitute of the thick, hard rind which characterizes the common sorts,
and which renders so large a portion of the fruit useless. On the
contrary, the Persian melons are protected by a skin so thin and
delicate, that they are subject to injury from causes that would produce
no perceptible effect on the sorts in general cultivation. As a class,
they are not only prolific, but their flesh is extremely tender, rich,
and sweet, and flows copiously with a cool juice, which renders them
still more grateful. They are, however, not early; and, for their
complete perfection, require a long and warm season.
_Varieties._--
DAMPSHA. _M'Int._
Flesh dark-green near the skin, rather whitish towards the centre, quite
melting, and of excellent flavor. The first-produced fruit in the season
is somewhat cylindrical, bluntly pointed at both ends; the whole surface
being prominently netted, and of a pale-yellow or dark-olive color. The
secondary crop has the fruit more pointed and less netted, and the skin
becomes much darker. Like the other varieties of winter melons, it may
be preserved a long time after being taken from the vines, if suspended
in a dry room. Weight four to five pounds.
DAREE. _Trans._
This resembles the Geree Melon in color, as well as in many other
respects. It is of the same form; but the rind, when netted, exhibits
coarser reticulations. The flesh is white, thick, crisp, and melting;
when fully ripened, very sweet, but rather insipid if imperfectly
matured. It is always, however, cool and pleasant.
GEREE. _Trans._
A handsome green fruit. In shape, it is oval, or ovate; and measures
eight inches in length by four inches and a half in breadth. The skin is
closely mottled with dark sea-green upon a pale ground, and is either
netted or not. In the former case, the meshes are very close; by which
character, it may be readily distinguished from the Daree. Stalk very
short; flesh an inch and a half or two inches thick, bright-green,
melting, very sweet, and highly flavored. Though perhaps equally rich,
it is not so beautiful or so juicy as the Melon of Keiseng. A good
bearer, but requires a warm, long season.
GERMEK. _Trans._
Large Germek.
A handsome large-sized, ribbed fruit, shaped like a compressed sphere;
usually six inches in length, and from seven to nine inches in diameter.
Skin deep-green, closely netted; flesh from an inch and a half to two
inches thick, clear green, firm, juicy, and high flavored. This is an
excellent variety, an abundant bearer, ripens early, and exceeds in size
any of the Persian melons.
GREEN HOOSAINEE. _Trans._
A handsome egg-shaped fruit, five inches long by four inches broad: when
unripe, of a very deep-green; but, in maturity, acquiring a fine, even,
light-green, regularly netted surface, which, on the exposed side,
becomes rather yellow. The flesh is pale-greenish white, tender and
delicate, full of a highly perfumed, pleasant, sweet juice; the rind is
very thin; the seeds are unusually large.
It is a variety of much excellence, a great bearer, and one of the
hardiest of the Persian melons.
GREEN VALENCIA. _M'Int._
A winter sort. Although not rich in flavor, it is firm, saccharine, and
juicy; and upon the whole, if fully ripened, a more desirable melon than
many of the summer varieties.
ISPAHAN. _Trans._
Sweet Ispahan.
This has been pronounced "the most delicious of all melons." The fruit
is egg-shaped, varying in length from eight to twelve inches, and
weighing from six to eight pounds; skin nearly smooth, of a deep
sulphur-yellow; flesh nearly white, extending about half way to its
centre, crisp, sugary, and very rich.
It is a variety of much excellence, but is fully perfected only in
favorable seasons.
MELON OF KEISENG. _Loud._
A beautiful egg-shaped fruit, eight inches long, five inches wide in the
middle, six inches wide at the lower extremity; very regularly and
handsomely formed. Color pale lemon-yellow; flesh from an inch and a
half to two inches and a quarter thick, nearly white, flowing copiously
with juice, extremely delicate, sweet, and high flavored, very similar
in texture to a well-ripened Beurré pear; rind thin, but so firm that
all the fleshy part of the fruit may be eaten.
It differs from the Sweet Ispahan in being closely netted.
MELON OF SEEN.
A fruit of regular figure and handsome appearance, seven inches long by
five inches wide. Shape ovate, with a small mamelon at the apex; surface
pale dusky yellow, regularly and closely netted, except the mamelon,
which is but little marked; rind very thin; flesh from an inch and a
half to two inches thick, pale-green, sometimes becoming reddish towards
the inside, exceedingly tender and juicy; juice sweet, and delicately
perfumed. A good bearer, but requires a long season. Named from Seen, a
village near Ispahan; where the variety was procured.
SMALL GERMEK. _Trans._
This ripens about a week earlier than the Large Germek, but is not so
valuable a fruit. In form, it is a depressed sphere, with about eight
rounded ribs. It measures four inches in depth by four inches and a
half in width. The skin is even, yellowish, with a little green about
the interstices, obscurely netted; the flesh is green, inclining to
reddish in the inside, an inch and a half thick, juicy, and high
flavored; skin very thin. The pulp in which the seeds are immersed is
reddish. It is not a great bearer, and the vines are tender.
STRIPED HOOSAINEE. _Trans._
Fruit oval and much netted, dark-green in broad stripes, with narrow
intervals of dull white, which become faintly yellow as the fruit
ripens; pulp externally green, but more internally pale-red, excessively
juicy, and more perfectly melting than that of the famous Ispahan Melon.
It is sweeter and higher flavored than any other Persian variety, but
requires a long, warm season for its full perfection.
* * * * *
THE WATER-MELON.
Cucurbita citrullus.
Plant running,--the length varying from eight to twelve feet; leaves
bluish-green, five-lobed, the lobes rounded at the ends; flowers
pale-yellow, about an inch in diameter; fruit large, roundish, green, or
variegated with different shades of green; seeds oval, flattened, half
an inch long, five-sixteenths of an inch broad,--the color varying
according to the variety, being either red, white, black, yellowish or
grayish brown. An ounce contains from a hundred and seventy-five to two
hundred seeds, and they retain their vitality eight years.
The Water-melon is more vigorous in its habit than the Musk-melon, and
requires more space in cultivation; the hills being usually made eight
feet apart in each direction. It is less liable to injury from insects,
and the crop is consequently much more certain. The seed should not be
planted till May, or before established warm weather; and but two good
plants allowed to a hill. The varieties are as follow:--
APPLE-SEEDED.
A rather small, nearly round sort, deriving its name from its small,
peculiar seeds; which, in form, size, and color, are somewhat similar to
those of the apple. Skin deep, clear-green; rind very thin; flesh
bright-red to the centre, sweet, tender, and well-flavored. It is hardy,
bears abundantly, seldom fails to ripen perfectly in the shortest
seasons, and keeps a long time after being gathered.
BLACK SPANISH.
Spanish.
Form oblong; size large; skin very dark or blackish green; rind half an
inch thick; flesh deep-red (contrasting finely with the very deep-green
color of the skin), fine-grained, very sugary, and of excellent flavor.
The variety is hardy, productive, thrives well, matures its fruit in the
Northern and Eastern States, and is decidedly one of the best for
general cultivation. Seeds dark-brown, or nearly black.
BRADFORD. _W. D. Brinckle._
The Bradford is a highly prized, South-Carolina variety; size large;
form oblong; skin dark-green, with gray, longitudinal stripes, mottled
and reticulated with green; rind not exceeding half an inch in
thickness; seed yellowish-white, slightly mottled, and with a
yellowish-brown stripe around the edge; flesh fine red to the centre;
flavor fine and sugary; quality "best."
CAROLINA.
Fruit of large size, and of an oblong form, usually somewhat swollen
towards the blossom-end; skin deep-green, variegated with pale-green or
white; flesh deep-red, not fine-grained, but crisp, sweet, and of fair
quality; fruit frequently hollow at the centre; seeds black.
This variety is extensively grown in the Southern States for exportation
to the North, where it appears in the markets about the beginning of
August, and to some extent in July. Many of the specimens are much less
marked with stripes and variegations than the true Carolina; and some
shipments consist almost entirely of fruit of a uniform deep-green
color, but of the form and quality of the Carolina.
Downing mentions a sub-variety with pale-yellow flesh and white seeds.
CITRON WATER-MELON.
Form very nearly spherical; size rather small,--average specimens
measuring six or seven inches in diameter; color pale-green, marbled
with darker shades of green; flesh white, solid, tough, seedy, and very
squashy and unpalatable in its crude state. It ripens late in the
season, and will keep until December. "It is employed in the making of
sweetmeats and preserves, by removing the rind or skin and seeds,
cutting the flesh into convenient bits, and boiling in sirup which has
been flavored with ginger, lemon, or some agreeable article. Its
cultivation is the same as that of other kinds of melons."--_New
American Cyclopædia._
CLARENDON. _W. D. Brinckle._
Dark-speckled.
Size large; form oblong; skin mottled-gray, with dark-green,
interrupted, longitudinal stripes, irregular in their outline, and
composed of a succession of peninsulas and isthmuses; rind thin, not
exceeding half an inch; seed yellow, with a black stripe extending round
the edge, and from one to three black spots on each side,--the form and
number corresponding on the two sides; flesh scarlet to the centre;
flavor sugary and exquisite, and quality "best."
This fine melon originated in Clarendon County, South Carolina; and,
when pure, may at all times be readily recognized by the peculiarly
characteristic markings of the seeds.
ICE-CREAM.
A large, very pale-green sort; when unmixed, readily distinguishable
from all other varieties. Form nearly round, but sometimes a little
depressed at the extremities; rind thicker than in most varieties; flesh
white, very sweet and tender, and of remarkably fine flavor; seeds
white. It is prolific, and also early; and is remarkably well adapted
for cultivation in cold localities, or where the seasons are too short
for the successful culture of the more tender and late kinds. Its
pale-green skin, white flesh, and white seeds, are its prominent
distinctive peculiarities.
IMPERIAL. _Down._
This variety is said to have been introduced from the Mediterranean.
Fruit round, or oblate, and of medium size; skin pale-green, with
stripes and variegations of white or paler green; rind thin; flesh
pale-red, crisp, sweet, and of excellent flavor; seeds reddish-brown.
Very productive, but requiring a warm situation and a long season for
its complete perfection.
MOUNTAIN SPROUT.
This variety is similar to the Mountain Sweet. It is of large size,
long, and of an oval form. Skin striped and marbled with paler and
deeper shades of green; rind thin,--measuring scarcely half an inch in
thickness; flesh scarlet, a little hollow at the centre, crisp, sugary,
and of excellent flavor.
Like the Mountain Sweet, it is a favorite market sort. It is not only of
fine quality, but very productive. Seeds russet-brown.
MOUNTAIN SWEET.
A large, long, oval variety, often contracted towards the stem in the
form of a neck; skin striped and marbled with different shades of green;
rind rather thin, measuring scarcely half an inch in thickness; flesh
scarlet, and solid quite to the centre; seeds pale russet-brown, but
often of greater depth of color in perfectly matured specimens of fruit.
A popular and extensively cultivated variety, quite hardy, productive,
and of good quality. "For many years, it was universally conceded to be
the best market sort cultivated in the Middle States, but of late has
lost some of the properties that recommended it so highly to favor. This
deterioration has probably been owing to the influence of pollen from
inferior kinds grown in its vicinity."
SOURCES & PROVENANCE
1 listed
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