View source for Montreal melon

The '''Persian Melon''' also know as '''Montreal melon''' and '''Montreal market muskmelon''' or the 
'''Montreal nutmeg melon''', is a variety of [[melon]] recently rediscovered and cultivated in the [[Montreal, Canada|Montreal]], [[Canada]] area.  Scientifically, it is a [[cultivar]] of ''Cucumis melo melo''.

It was originally widely grown between the [[St. Lawrence River]] and [[Mount Royal]], on the [[Montreal Plain]]. In its prime from the late [[19th century]] until [[World War II]], it was one of the most popular varieties of melon on the east coast of [[North America]].  The fruit was large (larger than any other melon cultivated on the continent at the time), round, netted (like a [[muskmelon]]), flattened at the ends, deeply ribbed, with a thin rind.  Its flesh was light green, almost melting in the mouth when eaten.  Its spicy flavor was reminiscent of [[nutmeg]].

It disappeared as Montreal grew.  Its delicate rind, suitable for the [[family farm]], was ill-suited to [[agribusiness]].  But after a couple of generations, it was rediscovered in a seed bank maintained by the [[U.S. Department of Agriculture]] in [[Ames, Iowa]] in [[1996]] and is currently enjoying a renaissance amongst Montreal-area gardeners.

== References ==
*''Cultural studies on the Montreal market muskmelon'', ''Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin'', #169 (1912).

==External links==
* [http://www.vehiculepress.com/montreal/urban_melon.html Return of the Montréal Melon]


[[Category:Melons]]
[[Category:Montreal]]
[[Category:Flora of Quebec]]