The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-06-12
MELON CULTURE.

been one of the most interest on AZ.
count of the great competition in the
market. Although not as profitable
as some other garden crops, yet they
come in market at a time when other
crops are dull. Still, when properly
cultivated on suitable soil and got in
market early, they r a very profit.
able crop. AS competition was great.
and as the early melon brought the
best price, it called forth every effort
to grow the earliest and best melon,
[ have tried many methods of culture,
many kins of manure and many kinds
of soil.
1 have found some soils, even light
soils, that will not produce fine melons
with all other essentials given. They
would have a rusty look. The best
soil for the watermelon is a light,
warm sandy loan, if newly cleared, or
having not been planted for three
years previ. us in melons, SO much the
better. Whatever tends to compact
the soil, whether rainy weather or a
deficiency of vegetable matter, is detri-
mental to the crop. Contrary to the
experience of many growers, 1 have
found that the richer the soil, provided
it be warm and light, the surer the
success. The ground should be broken
quite deep and thoroughly pulverized.
| prefer marking both ways, as the
plants can be cultivated better. Two
shovelsful of good manure should be
put in each cross. The best manure
l have ever used was well-rotted forest
leaf mold and stable manure put in
alternate layers of equal proportion;
this well rotted, and turned over until
thoroughly mixed. This may not
rush the plant while young so much
as all stable manure, but it will bring
more and larger fruit. This compost
can be mixed with the soil or not. 1
SO mix, but do not say it is best. Make
good-sized hills, not too high, and
drop at least a dozen seeds in each
hill This is important for two reasons;
SO many plants aid each other in
raising the soil (which is so apt to
become crusted on top) and they will
come up better; some seed give stronger
plants than others and will bear better
fruit; planting so many in the hill we
are more apt to get strong plants;
these a be selected after the plants
are up, leaving two in a hill.
AS soon as the plants are up hoe
them, or if a small patch, loosen the
soil with the fingers is better; the
young plant is not so apt to be dis
turbed, which it should not be. |
like deep cultivation for the three
first, then shallow until done cultivat-
ing. Melons should be cultivated
every five or six days until the vines
interfere. I pillow the ground thor
oughly between the rows each blowing.
In cultivating the vines, the least they
are disturbed the better, as moving
vines after they begin to u much
IS injurious to the crop.
AS to the "melon bug" the best
remedy is to put ashes, soot or lime on
The plants as soon as they are discovered
% be infested; then hunt for them
while the dew is ON the vines, or while
t is cool. They are then easier
[ have tried kerosene, to-
oacco stems and tobacco juice, salt
'eter and wheat bran, but none paid
the trouble. AS to pinching or
opping the vines, I doubt if it pays.
have not been able to see any advan-
age; there may be a small per cent.
more melons, but on the average they
smaller.
After the melons are grown there
much gained in picking at the right
ime, to make them the most profitable.
have heard farmers say they never
a ripe melon; they could not
ell when the melon was ripe. The
ind of melons left on the vines gen
becomes hard and the pulp brit
lie when ripe. If left until properly
1atured, the part in contact with the
round will be changed from a white
D a pale yellow, and upon close ex-
mination numerous small pimples
omewhat like the measles, will be
oticed On the surface, particularly on
ne outer edge. With these signs, if
ne melon be gently pressed and it
racks inside, it may be regarded as
pc. The top side of a melon when
pc is OF a dull lifeless brown color.
o prevent melon thieving 1 place a
lass lantern on a box in the middle
the patch, and I never lose a melon.
do not know that this would be 80
in a large field, but I have
oopped my melons being stolen in