XEE4133781 Curious use of honey: honey as fertilizer. In the 13th century, the peasants of northern France cultivated a melon called sugar and watered it with honey. Engraving in ??????La cuisine des familles??????from 1905-1908. by Unknown Artist, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Curious use of honey: honey as fertilizer. In the 13th century, the peasants of northern France cultivated a melon called sugar and watered it with honey. Engraving in ??????La cuisine des familles??????from 1905-1908.).