The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-08-24

rows, one to two feet apart, and
about five inches in the rows. AS
soon as they commence growing the
ground is kept clear of all weeds by
frequent hoeing and wedding. On
ions are different lin regard to rotation
from other vegetables, they do best
if raised on the same ground for
succession of years.
MELONS.
The watermelon crop was one of
the most profitable crops raised this
season. There was falling off in
the amount shipped, but what were
shipped brought good prices. In
June they sold as high as one dollar
each, and the price kept up well un,
til the middle Of July, when they
were still selling for thirty dollars
hundred; some OF the transportation
companies refused to receive them
except in car load lots from Jackson.
vile, which kept some of the smaller
lots from being shipped. This no
doubt will be remedled before next
season. The Georgia Rattlesnake
and Long Island are the varieties
mostly planted for Northern markets.
The Phinney's Early was planted by
some and shipped in barrel size
crates. Owing to their earliness
they were ready for market about
two weeks before the larger varieties,
and although small (aver4ging from
ten to thirteen to the BARREL they
sold Tor seventy>fve cents each: but
they will not pay to ship after the
larger varieties are in market.
The Cuban Queen is no doubt The
largest melon grown and of rare mer.
its. The seeds of this new melon
were sent out last year for the first
time. One OF my neighbors was for> .
tunate enought to get few of them.
lie showed me one vine which had
on at that time eleven melons. all
perfect, weighing from TWENTY-FIVE
to sixty pounds. The melon is a
purely tropical fruit, and should not
be planted until all danger of frost
is past. We usually plant from the
middle of February till the first of
March. Plant in hills, not less than
eight feet apart each way, put a small
amount of fertilizer in the hill. and
give a top dressing after the plants
put on their third or fourth leaf, The
plants should be hoed often, and the
ground between the hills kept clean
until the vines touch. Care should
be taken not to move the vines after
they commence running. LARGE
melons are shipped in bulk.
TOMATOES.
The tomato has become the lead.
ing crop tor Florida gardeners. In
the Northern portion of the State
this crop, like all others, was late
With this crop we must run more
risk, plant earlier, and at the same
time have a succession of plants
coming on, so if what is planted out
gets killed, we can plant again with
out having to send off to get seed.
The majority of us might have
shipped several weeks sooner if we
had adopted this plan. The seed
beds should be made so as to be pro>
tected in case frost occurs. The
Hathaway Excelsior still holds it's
reputation with the gardeners here.
Some planted the Paragon for the
first time, and were we'll pleased
with it. Tomatoes require but little
fertilizing in ordinary land, a small
amount in the hill, and TOP
dressing after the plants are about
one-third grown, will be all that is
required. Plant in rows four feet
apart ana three feet in the row. Shlp
in bushel crates.
IRISH POTATOES.
Potatoes thrive and produce best
in light, dry but rich soil. The
ground should be we'll fertilized 10
make it rich enough. Good sized
Lubers should be selecte d for plant.
ing, which can be cut in pieces, not