1887 ad: Hackensack Melons!

[BLeafe]

http://xrl.us/HackensackMelons


Who wouldn't like some nice Hackensack melons! I know I would (but not from 1887).   


Seller's description:

A beautiful litho Vegetable Specialties For 1887 For Description See catalogue Peter Henderson & Co. 35 & 37 Courtlandt Street New York. Very beautiful New Rose & White Plume celery plus an Early Hackensack Musk Melon drawings. Printed by Schumacher & Ettlington New York. In decent shape for it's age, edges fraying and tearing but image is nearly perfect. Measures  10 3/4" x 8 1/2".




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[Chief Oratam]

I wonder if it was called Hackensack melon because it was grown here......or for some other reason .......??
anybody have info...??

I know So Hackensack was Farm and Golf coarse....
and I remember Stag Farms (Stagg Farms ?) on Polify rd.....where the Hilton is now.....I'm sure there was alot of farming in Hackensack but I dont know for sure.....

I know a 91 year old I'll pick his brain next saturday....he's sharp...

[BLeafe]

I wonder if it was called Hackensack melon because it was grown here......or for some other reason .......??
anybody have info...??

I couldn't find anything absolutely definitive, but I did find the following here:

from: http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/new-jersey-writers-program/bergen-county-panorama--american-guide-series-hci/page-7-bergen-county-panorama--american-guide-series-hci.shtml


"The growth of grains, extensive since Colonial times, had
declined, and garden vegetables were definitely the staple crops
of the region. The last quarter of the ninetenth century saw
the sensational rise of the famous "Hackensack melon," which
had been modestly grown since before the Revolution. There
was great rivalry among growers to have their melons first at
the metropolitan markets. Commissioners eagerly awaited the
arrival of Bergen County melons, and the individual farmer
took advantage of the demand by raising from 100 to 1,000
barrels a season. Melons were highly profitable until the early
twentieth century, when blight and wilt attacked the fruit."

"Hackensack" melons came first. The "Early Hackensack" melons were a variety or improvement that were ready for market 10 days earlier than the "Hackensack" ones.



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[Editor]

See: THE STORY OF BERGEN COUNTY AGRICULTURE by Kevin Wright, Bergen County Historical Society.

But, by 1904, the Hackensack Republican lamented that: “Our old brand of Hackensack melons were gone. This county, which was once the banner county for melons, finds that the seed does not produce the delicious melon which gave the Hackensack variety the top record and Colorado and other Western States out ranks it. Here and there a farmer will be found marketing Hackensack melons, but in only a few instances can they be relied upon.”

See also: Good Housekeeping, 1887:

Hackensack melons at the height of the season seldom fall below ю cents each. The average price is from ю to 20 cents, after they begin to come in regularly, in the Metropolitan markets Purchasing by the barrel is, of course, the most economical way, but when the family is small, the melons will deteriorate too fast to recommend this method. A barrel of this fruit ranges in price from $i 50 to $2.50. There are from 14 to 40 melons in a barrel, according to their size. Barrels of Jenny Lind melons will sometimes contain 75,

The proper way to preserve muskmelons is to lay them on the cellar floor; select the ripest and place on the ice not over two hours before using. If they become too cold they lose flavor. They should never have ice put inside after they are cut and the seeds removed, for this kills their flavor very soon. If melons are put in a pail of cold water and hung clown a deep well for three or four hours, after picking, they become just the right temperature, and their rich flavor is not dsipated.

I may try to grow these this season.

[BLeafe]

If they become too cold they lose flavor.

I may try to grow these this season.

Remember - they tried that in the 60s at the Oritani Theater, but the A/C ruined everything.

[just watching]

The best farms in Hackensack were in the central and SE parts of the city.   Not on the hill, and not in the marshes along the river.