The Montreal melon, also known as the Montreal market muskmelon or the Montreal nutmeg melon (), is a type of melon traditionally grown in the area around Montreal, Canada. It was popularised by the seed merchant W. Atlee Burpee starting in 1881 but later disappeared from large-scale cultivation. It was rediscovered in 1996 in a seed bank in Iowa.
Description
A report dated 1909 states that the Montreal melon is difficult to grow and varies greatly in size. "One weighing 44 pounds has been grown. The writer saw one weighing 22 pounds, which had been selected for seed purposes. Their average weight ranges from 8 to 15 pounds... The larger melons are apt to be poorer in quality than those weighing 8 to 15 pounds."
History
American newspaper reports show that the melon was also grown in Vermont in the early 20th century and was found to be "exceedingly profitable" for farmers. One article lists the melons selling for about $10/dozen at wholesale and from $1.25 to $1.75 each at retail in 1907.Burlington weekly free press. (Burlington, Vt.), 8 August 1907. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. [2]
The melon disappeared as Montreal grew. Its delicate rind, suitable for , was ill-suited to agribusiness. But after about 40 years, it was rediscovered in a seed bank maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Ames, Iowa, in 1996, and has since enjoyed a renaissance among Montreal-area gardeners.
See also
- List of Canadian inventions and discoveries
- List of resurrected species
- Lazarus taxon
- De-extinction
Uses public domain text from the USDA as shown (public domain due to age)
- Cultural studies on the Montreal market muskmelon, Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin, #169 (1912).
External links
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