Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-07-11

it out "taut,' as the sailors say. When
the side and end at right angles have
been fastened down, the corresponding
side and end are easily managed, and
the thing is done.-NeW York World.
Nutmeg Melons.
Waldo f. Brown. in the Ohio Farmer,
tells how he grows nutmeg melons,
which are now quite a commodity, be-
ing both healthtul and palatable:
Among the crops which [ have found
profitable to grow for market is nutmeg
muskmelons. They have not so many
insect enemies to contend with as water
melons, are not SO likely to be damaged
by boys and men, as they do not need
to plug the melons to see if they are
ripe; they are more prolific, and the
market is rarely overstocked with really
good nutmegs The land should be
well MANFRED and we'll drained. A
good half crop of potatoes may be
grown on the same land with no detri-
ment to the melons. Lay off two rows
fer potatoes thirty inches apart, and
then leave a space of six feet.
making the melon row in the middle.
This will bring the melon
rows Il feet apart, and if planted 5 feet
apart in the row, will give about 1900
is rich I think it pays to manure in the
hill SO as to give the vine good start
early in the season, and If you have
poultry manure it will be the best and
most. convenient to use for the purpose.
1t should be mixed with an equal bulk
of rich leaf mould and sprinkled with
water to make it heat. Use teaching
from a manure pile if you can get it.
Pile it in a conical heap until thorough
ly hot, then spread 1t six or eight inches
deep and turn it every day until the
heat subsidies. then it will be in condi-
ton to use. This manure should be
prepared under cover, or at least COW
cred from heavy rains. Make the hills
four inches higher than the level of the
land, as they will not be so easily food
ed by heavy rain, and compacted.
AS soon as the plants begin to show
you should begin to work them. The
striped bug will be on hand, but nut
megs are harder than either water
melons or cucumbers, and close atten-
ton will usually save them. [ am not
sure that [ can offer a specific for the
bugs, for often they come in such num-
bers as to destroy the plants almost be-
fore the gardener is aware of their
presence. Anything that helps the
thrift and vitality of the plant is good
for the bugs will not work after they are
in the rough leaf; SO loosen the earth in
the hill as soon as you can
see them, and sprinkle them with
mixture of COW manure and water
made as thick as cream. 1t is claimed
that the strong odor of this will keep
the bugs away. I have not had an OPP
portunity to test it, but know it to be
good for the plants and | shall try it
this year. A handful of bran to hill,
applied to the plants when the dew is
on, not only sprinkled on the leaves but
little piled around the stems will often
save them, and the bran is an excellent
fertilizer. Gritty turnpike dust, first
sifted, and literally used when the dew
is on, is also good remedy.
Paris green will kill the bugs. but if
much of it is applied it will also kill the
plants, and a difficulty in using it is that
it cannot well be applied to the under
side of the leaf, as it must be put on
when the plants are dry in minute
quantities, or it will kill them. Use one
part of green to eight of flour, and only
dust on enough SO that it can just be
seen. Kerosene and milk. one to ten,
thoroughly mixed, and sprinkled on
the vines is also good remedy. | be-
lieve that either the bran or turnpike
dust used literally when plants are
damp, and repeated if washed off by
rain, before they are beyond the reach
Of the bug will be found effectual, but
would also use the manure water. An
other precaution [ would advise is to
plant plenty of seeds at the first plant
ing, put ten or more seeds in the south
half of the hill; week later put as
many more in the north nalf. If you
do not get stand from the first plant
ing you probably will from the second.