“Old-Fashioned” Jenny Lind Musk Melon
When we began business in 1876 this was the most popular of all Musk Melons in New Jersey, where it was grown extensively for the Philadelphia markets, and deservedly so, as it was the most luscious in flavor. With the introduction of Burpee's Netted Gem and other larger melons, unfortunately, however, even those growers who still stuck to Jenny Lind began selecting for larger size, so that the original strain eventually became lost. Six years ago we were delighted to find one grower who had a stock of the True Old-Fashioned Jenny Lind, of the same delicious quality as it was forty years ago. The flattened melons are of small size, measuring only three and a half to four inches across by two to three inches from stem to blossom end. The blossom end often shows a knob or button as in the illustration. The beautiful light-green flesh is very thick considering the size of the melons. It is the sweetest green-fleshed musk melon in existence. The melons are of just the right size for table use to serve as individual melons; that is, cut in half, two halves (or an entire melon) would about equal one-half of a Rocky Ford or Emerald Gem. Pkt., 10c; oz., 15c; ¼ lb., 40c; lb., $1.25; postpaid.
Originally listed in: Burpee's Annual for 1916
When we began business in 1876 this was the most popular of all Musk Melons in New Jersey, where it was grown extensively for the Philadelphia markets, and deservedly so, as it was the most luscious in flavor. With the introduction of Burpee's Netted Gem and other larger melons, unfortunately, however, even those growers who still stuck to Jenny Lind began selecting for larger size, so that the original strain eventually became lost. Six years ago we were delighted to find one grower who had a stock of the True Old-Fashioned Jenny Lind, of the same delicious quality as it was forty years ago. The flattened melons are of small size, measuring only three and a half to four inches across by two to three inches from stem to blossom end. The blossom end often shows a knob or button as in the illustration. The beautiful light-green flesh is very thick considering the size of the melons. It is the sweetest green-fleshed musk melon in existence. The melons are of just the right size for table use to serve as individual melons; that is, cut in half, two halves (or an entire melon) would about equal one-half of a Rocky Ford or Emerald Gem. Pkt., 10c; oz., 15c; ¼ lb., 40c; lb., $1.25; postpaid.
Originally listed in: Burpee's Annual for 1916