The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-04-12
CULTIVATION OF MATERMEL-

ON9.
A gradual slope of moderately dry land
on the south OF east side sf hin, or emf
nence Of ny height, is apseferable loca-
tion for this CROP Don't know that it
snakes much difference as'to the character
&c the land or snbsoil, as IL this parxicular
crop the soil in the hill mast be made. 1t
viii not do to plant melons on naturally
very rich soil, IS they grow too much to
vine and ar4 not 80 kAely favored as
those gf0wn On old or refn soil, and
made rich by manure in the hill Moder-
ately strong new ground will make them
very well, aud on fresh lind the vines in
extreme wet spells Of wessther seldom, if
ever, rust, or melons ri-uria L--~----
knottv. wHTch renders them unfit for use,
and is productive of sickpess if indulged
in. About the only cause of failure is
from an excess of wet weather during
their growth, which invariably produces
rust Of vine, and pimpled, ,tknotty fruit. l
am sure have discovered preventive.
of this, for after many years growing
| them after nv plan, | have succeeded
when others have failed. This plan will
give before closing this letter The land
should be well broken mp broadcast with
turning pIow ten days before planting
The rows should be checked off ten feet
apart for the larger variety of melons.
With hoe take out the dirt in each check,
making round hole three feet in diane
ter and from six to ten inches deep Then,
with grubbing hoe, dig deep and thor
oughly in the bottom of this hole, smooth
it back, not taking out ans Of the subsoil.
This thorough digging id the bottom or
subsoil will increase and retain moisture
in dry weather under the plant
Take one peck of well r6tted stable ma
nure; if not to be had, one peck of well
killed cotton seed two pccks of rich sur
face new ground soil (h1mmock prefer
redD; if not to be had,S get the same
amount of rich soil fronl sinks, or low
places against logs or brush piles where
good soil has washed or Sgathered !; also
one peck of good caked ashes from oak or
hickory wood if ashes are not to he had,
two quarts of lime will answer. Calculate
the number Of hills yoa will have, then
proportion the different manures, and mix
thoroughly with potato rake or fork;
! put the above amount in each hill, spread
1 ing over the three feet space or basin
/ cover this with good surface soil near by
sufficiently to raise the bill, say three
I inches, above the comm5n level Now
you are ready to plant Make cross Y
/ of eighteen inches with corner of small
hoe, drop In these marks DIR small burrows
/ from ten to twelve seed from point to
( point; cover from one to one and one half
inches deep, and lightly press the dirt
back with back of hoe. After they have
come up and become bulky aud strong,
and all danger Of frost is over, then pull
out those nearest the middle or cross, Ieav-
ing one to each end This will allow
room to pass the hoe through the hill AM
gently stir the soil Plew with sweep
every twenty-one days and cross-plow
hoe lightly the surface only, every twelve
| days As soon as the vines begin to run,
turn each one In an opposite direction, and
use small sticks OF splinters of wood to
stick across the vines, ir order to start
them off in the right direction and to keep
the cruel winds of March, April and May
from whipping the vines and bruising
them. Let me Just here call special atten-
tion of melon growers to the great neces-
sity of not allowing the vines to be moved
by the plow, hoe or hand, but to the con-
/ trary, little sticks, stones, or some means
used to keep the vines from rolling over
and being whipped to death by winds,
until the vines meet and support each
other by the little tendrilsth nature has
given them, with winch they so willingly
and eagerly cling to any small object for
support and protection against the wind.
But few growers seem to appreciate or
realize the Indispensable value of these lit
tie tendrils and what they Are for. Seeing
them feeling in every direction for sup
port, place something within their grasp,
or pin the vines down iii some way, es-
pecially until they are five or six feet
long, or begin to lock and protect each
| other.
promised in the outset to give REM
edy against rust and pimples, and have
done 50 by recommending, the free use of
good surface new hammock or other
ground soil. This will certainly prevent
rust and pimples on melons, and viii
keep the vines green and bearing longer,
and mature healthy, sm4oth melon,
even in prolonged rainy seasons. For
this reason, mix this soil freely with your
other manures
Any experienced grower has discovered
that on new land melons .or vines do not
rust, as on old land in extreme rainy sea-
sons, and for this reason recommend -
above.
For shipping, the rattlesnake variety
seems to be the one great favorite with
ALL For home market, there are many
other varieties equal, if not superior, in
| flavor. :
Cantaloupes Of different varieties should
be planted and cultivated as watermelons,
only they should have 1ut half the dis
tance in rows Muskmelons should be
planted eight feet apart.
No fruit grown is more harmless, or .
greater luxury, than good, healthy,
plump melon, plucked from = green,
thrifty vine, and can be eaten with as
much impunity as drink Of pure, cold
mountain water Ship ia barrels, tieFces,
or per carload, none bui the best, using
great care in handling before shipping
| am satisfied many at onr melons are
ruined before they lsave cur whsffs, by
rough handling. II handled carefully all
the way through, and nEipped to reliable
men, there i money 10 he made raising
them.--R n 0iioer, ia3 GaiassriHs Snla
and Bec
| Daring the weak q host Of dissin.
guished gentlemen hava visited Ocala-
Among the number We may menkion Hon
Geo. w. Lndd, member 0f Congress from