The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-02-12
300
WatermelOnS.


on suitable ground, there is no more
profitable crop for the gardener and
truckman. We have never succeeded
in raising the melon on cultivated
old ground so as to secure more than
partial crop. As the necessity
arises, means will be found to over
come the difficulties that exits, pre-
venting the full yield and delicious
aroma that attaches to those raised
on new cleared ground. At present
there is little necessity for it. The
preparation Of the ground for melons
for two or three years leaves it in
good condition for other crops. The
yield, under ordinary, favorable Cir
cumstances, is simply enormous, and
the favor of the melon raised in
Florida is unsurpassed by any in the
world. Florida, like portions of the
sandy plains of Africa, is the natural
home of the melons. / have raised
as high as $500 worth of melons from
an acre, and where tie market is sure
and facilities for shipment exist
without much handling and with
reasonable rates, l have no hesitation
in saying that $50 per acre can be
made clear of all expenses-a net
clear profit. Year after year l have,
done better than this selling out of
the wagon in the home market. One
year, 1873. Melted $3.50 on less than
an acre, land raised some melons weigh
ing forty, fifty and sixty-fve pounds
apiece, and selling some as high as
81. Of course this cannot be done
without labor and diligent prepare
ton of the means by which to secure
the desired result There is, how
ever, one thing to be born in mind,
you are making the melons pay
for the land. pay for clearing
it ready for the plow and
increasing its fertility and adapta.
ton for other crops OF for trees and
fruit. The land operated upon was
black jack chapperel, about four feet
high, with roots such as only black
jacks have. For the first crop / did
not attempt to grub the ground. The
growth was simply snubbed off, and
in October, November and Deem
Der there we're dug holes two feet
deep by three wide, at intervals Of
eight feet every way throwing the
top soil on one side and the under
soil on the other, they were left in
this condition till the time for plant
ing came. In the meantime the COM
post heap was prepared, composed
OF stable manure, swamp muck and
such tertilizing material as could he
collected from any source, being sure
to get all the sea-weed and ashes pos
sible. Planting was done latter part
of February or first of March-it is
better to lose one planting than lose
the chance Of an early crop-further
south the planting can be earlier. To
every twenty hills l gave one large
cart load of the compost manure,
mixing it carefully with the thrown
out top soil, and little more than
half filling the hole; upon this a
planting time, if possible to get, ]
throw in large handful Of pure gu
ano. Mix the under soil with lime
about one pint (shell lime) to the hill
thoroughly mix the top soil and lime
so that the lime may not come in di
rect contact with the guano; let it lay
week and it is ready for planting.
Scrape off the top so as to make &
good large bed for the seeds and put
from ten to twelve seeds in the hill
The first year there will not be Tex
cept, possibly, just over the manure
any grass or weeds. AS soon as the
melon has it's third Leaf the GROUND
around the hill is carefully hoed al
deep as possible, and when the plants
are ready to vine they are thinped tc
one or two in hill, selecting the