CHAP. IX.

MEDLARS.

THERE are only two sorts of Medlars cultivated in England, the Dutch and the Nottingham; both of which are two well known to require any description. The Dutch Medlar is by far the largest, and on that account may make the best appearance in the dessert; but the Nottingham is much superior in quality, and where one tree only is required it ought to be this.

Propagation.

Medlars are propagated by grafting or budding, generally upon the Whitethorn stock; but as this is of a much slower growth than the Medlar, it seldom produces good trees. The Common Pear stock is by far the best for this purpose, and if trained up standard high, and either grafted or budded at that height, the trees will be much finer and better than by any other method.

Pruning and Management.

Standard Medlars require the same management in forming their heads as Standard Plums: their shoots are not so numerous, but they frequently take a direction which would distort the head if suffered to remain, which renders it necessary they should be frequently looked over for the purpose of correcting and giving them a properly regulated head.

The Medlar, as well as the Quince, may very safely be planted out in the orchard, without any fear of their

degenerating the fruit of either the Apple or the Pear. The idea that has been entertained by some that this would be the case is perfectly absurd, as there can be no deterioration or degeneracy of the existing fruit, through the impregnation of these or other inferior species. The effect produced through impregnation must appear in the rising generation, not in the present one: we might as well expect a degeneracy in animal species by a cross impregnation with each other, as that the Apples and Pears now growing in our orchards should have degenerated, simply because Medlars and Quinces had been planted in the same orchards. Yet I find a caution given to gardeners to "plant Medlars and Quinces at a proper distance from Apples and Pears;" both by Mr. FORSYTH, and by JOHN ABERCROMBIE, sixty years a practical gardener.

CHAP. X.

MELONS.

THE Melon appears to have been brought into England as early as the year 1570; but whether we possess, at the present time, the sort then introduced, would probably be very difficult to determine.

As an annual plant it is the only one known in our gardens, whose fruit, in its natural state, possesses sufficient merit to recommend it to a place in the dessert: for this purpose, however, it stands so high in general estimation for the richness of its flavour, independent of its magnificent appearance, that no dessert can be considered as complete without it, so long as it continues in

season.

The following are the principal varieties which appear to be deserving of cultivation: these I shall divide under four different heads, according to the colour of their flesh, the thickness of their rind, and time of ripening.

FIRST DIVISION.

SUMMER MELONS.

1. With Red Flesh and thick Rind.

1. BLACK ROCK. Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 20.

Skin

Fruit very large, oblate, from eight to ten inches in diameter, and from seven to eight inches deep. of a very deep green, with broad black blotches, but turning yellowish when ripe, and covered with large knobs or carbuncles. Flesh thick, of a deep orange colour, very firm, and if cut before it be too ripe it possesses a very excellent flavour: weight from eight to fourteen pounds.

2. DUTCH ROCK. Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 21.

Fruit oblate, eight inches wide, and six inches deep. Skin bright yellow, full of carbuncles and knobs, which are mottled with dark green. Flesh bright orange, an inch and a half thick, fine, melting, sweet, and high flavoured weight from five to eight pounds.

3. EARLY CANTALOUP. Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 3. Fruit small, ribbed, nearly round. Skin whitish green, blotched with darker green. Flesh deep orange, juicy, of pretty good flavour: weight from two to four pounds.

4. EARLY POLIGNAC. Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 19. Fruit middle-sized, spherical, five or six inches in diameter. Skin pale yellow, slightly warted. Flesh one inch and a half thick, of a yellowish salmon colour, sweet, and well flavoured.

5. HARDY RIDGE. Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 12.

Fruit rather small, round, depressed, strongly ribbed, irregularly warted all over its surface. Skin dull yellow, mottled with dull green. Flesh an inch thick, bright orange-red, sweet, and well flavoured.

6. MELON DES CARMES. Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 37. Fruit oblong, tapering to each end, eight inches in diameter in the middle, and twelve inches long. Skin bright orange, mottled with dark green. Flesh pale salmon colour, two inches thick, tender, not juicy, but sweet and good flavoured.

7. MONTAGU CANTALOUP. Hort. Trans. Vol. iv. p. 320.

Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 4.

,Fruit sometimes round, sometimes oval, about five inches in diameter. Skin greenish white, netted. Flesh one inch and a half thick, red, but not high coloured, soft, juicy, sweet, and delicate.

8. NETTED CANTALOUP. Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 5. White Seeded Cantaloup. Ib.

Fruit rather small, round. Skin pale green, very closely reticulated. Flesh dark reddish orange, with a rich sugary juice.

9. NETTED SUCCADA. Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 30. Fruit middle-sized, somewhat ribbed. Skin dull pale green, very closely covered with reticulations. Flesh deep orange colour, firm, and high flavoured. 10. ORANGE CANTALOUP. Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 6. Fruit below the middle size, round.

Skin pale

yellow, becoming deeper coloured when ripe, and a little netted on its surface. Flesh deep orange-red, juicy, sugary, and extremely high flavoured.

11. ROMANA. Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 26. Fruit middle-sized, oval, slightly ribbed. Skin pale yellow, reticulated on its surface. Flesh deep yellow, firm, and well flavoured.

12. SCARLET ROCK. Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 24.

Fruit oblate, deeply ribbed, about five inches deep,