apple-seed watermelon n Also apple-seed (melon), apple-seeded (water)melon
A variety of watermelon n with small fruit and seeds.
1826 Darlington Florula Cestrica 136 sePA, Water Melon. . . This is frequently cultivated for its delicious fruit. . . There is a variety, with small seeds, called the Apple-seeded Water Melon. 1829 New Engl. Farmer (ed. Fessenden) 7.335/2, [Advt:] Also, the Apple Seeded Melon, a very early variety. 1845 Daily Natl. Pilot (Buffalo NY) 10 Sept [2]/4, List of Flowers, Plants, Fruits and Vegetables, presented at the Annual Fair of the Horticultural Society . . : . . Lewis Eaton— . . Apple-seed Watermelon. 1880 Millbrook Times (KS) [10 Sept 3]/2, Among those who have lately remembered us are Mr. David Jaggers with a fine Russian and Apple Seed melon, both new varieties to us, and other vegetables. 1924 Democratic Messenger (Eureka KS) 3 Jan 6/4, I will plant . . a few acres of Jesse Grove’s favorites, the white rined [sic] apple seed melons, for real early use, and a few acres of those delicious Rocky Fords. 1947 Linton Daily Citizen (IN) 23 Sept 1/1, With the advent of the electric refrigerators, however, the seedmen learned that many buyers didn’t like the long cucumber-shaped melon and found that the more rotund varieties were outselling the longer ones. As a result, the “apple seed” melons came into prominence. 1953 Daily Times (New Philadelphia OH) 27 Aug 17/5, [Advt:] Apple Seed Watermelons Oh Boy—Are they good. 1966 Terre Haute Star (IN) 26 Aug 23/4, [Advt:] Small apple seed watermelons 39c.