The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-01-26
% 90
49,.
1@O&O
y 1874
Cultivation Of Melons.


preferable location for this crop.
Don't know that it makes much diff
ference as to the character Of the land
or subsoil, as in this particular crop
the soil in the hill must be made 1t
will not do to plant melons on natur-
allv very rich soil, as they grow too
much to vines and are not SO finely
favored as those grown on old or
worn soil, and made rich by manure
in the hill. Moderately strong new
ground will make them very well,
and on fresh land the vines in ex.
IRENE wet spells of weather seldom,
if ever, rust or melons pimple or be-
come knotty, which renders them I'M
fit for use and is productive OF sick.
ness if INDUCED 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, knotty fruit 1
am sure | have discovered proven.
tive OF this (for after many years
growing them after my plan l have
succeeded when Others have tailed).
This plan l will give before closing
this letter. The land should be well
broken up broad cast with turning
pillow ten days before planting. The
rows should be checked eff ten feet
apart Tor the large variety of melons.
With the hoe take out the dirt in
each check, making a round hole
three feet in diameter and from six
to ten inches deep, Then with grub,
bing hoe dig deep and thoroughly
in the bottom Of this hole, smooth it
back, not taking out any of the subs
soil. This thorough digging in the
bottom or subsoil will increase and
retain moisture in dry weather under
the plant.
Take one peck of we'll rotted stable
manure, il not 10 be had, one Peck of
well killed cotton seed two pecks
Of rich surface new ground soil (ham.
mock preterred), if not to be had get
same amount OF rich soil from sinks
or low places against logs or brush
piles, where good soil has washed or
gathered also one peck of good
caeed ashes from oak or hickory
wood, if ashes are not TO be had
two quarts OF lime Will answer Cal.
culate the number of hills you will
have, then proportion the different
manures and mix thoroughly with a
potato rake or torl; put the above
amount in each hill, spreading over
the three feet space or basin; cover
this with good surface soil near by
sufficiently to raise the hill, say three
inches, above the common level. Now
you are ready to plant. Make a
cross X of eighteen inches with
corner Of small hoe, drop in these
marks or small burrows from ten to
twelve seed from point to point;
cover from one to one and half
inches deep and lightly press the dirt
back with the back Of the hoe. After
they have come up and become bulky
and strong and all danger OF frost is
over, then pull out those nearest the
middle or cross, leaving one on each
end. This will allow room TO pass
the hoe through the hill and gently
stir the soil, PIow with sweep every
twen;y-one days and cross plow
hoe lightly, the surface only, every
+WelVe days. AS soon as the vines
begin to run turn each one in an op-
posite direction and use small sticks
OF splinls OF wood to stick across the
vine, in order to start them Oft in the
right direction and to keep the cruel
winds OF March, April and May IRON
whipping the vines and bruising them.
Let me just here call special attention
of melon growers to the great neces-
sity OF not allowing the vines to be
moved by the pillow, hoe or hand,
but to the contrary little sticks,
stones, or some means used to keep
the vines from rolling over and being
whipped to death by winds, until tie
vines meet and support each other by
the little tendrils that nature has
given them, with which they SO
willingly and eagerly cling TO any
small object tor support and plotec.
tion against the wind. But few
growers seem TO appreciate or realize
the indispensable value of these little
tendrils and what they are Tor. See
ing them feeling in every direction
tor a support, place something within
Their grasp, or pin the vines down Ill
some way, especially Until they are
five OF six feet long, or begin TO lock
and protect each other.
promised in the outset 10 give u
remedy against rust and pmples,
and have done so i'll recommending
q