Sharp County record., 1888-07-26
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
Nutmeg Melons,

w alQO f. Drown Tells now he grows
nutmeg melons, Which are now quite a
commodity, being both healthful and
palatable:
Among the crops which have found
profitable to grow for market is nut
meg muskmelons. They have not so
many insect enemies to contend with
as watermelons, and are not 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 manured and well
drained. A good half crop of potatoes
may be grown on the same land with
no detriment to the melons, Lay off
rows for potatoes so inches apart;
and then leave a space of six
feet, making the melon row III
the middle, This will bring
the melon rows y feet apart,
and if planted feet apart in the row,
will give about l, POO hills to the acre.
Even when the land is rich | think IL
pays to manure In the hill SO as to give
the vine a good start early in the
season, hhd II you have poultry manure
II 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 1t heat. Use teaching from a
manure pile if you can get it. Pile it
in a conical heap until thoroughly hot,
then spread it six or eight inches deep
and turn it every day until the heat
subsidies, then it will be in condition to
use. This manure should be prepared
under cover, or at least, covered from
heavy rains. Make the hills four
inches higher than the level of the
land, as they will not be so easily
flooded 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-
tion will usually save them. I 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. Any thing 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. It is claimed that the strong
Odor of this will keep the bugs away.
| have not had an opportunity to test
1t, 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 a little
piled around the stems, will offensive
them, and the bran is an excellent fer
tilizer. 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 can not 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 floor, and only dust on
enough so that it can just be seen.
Kerosene and milk, one to ten, thor
oughly mixed, and 'sprinkled on the
vines is, also good remedy. Ibelieve
that elther Uhe Ian or turnpike dust
used literally when pa-o+s are damn
and repeated if washed off by L., ho
fore they are beyond the reach of the
bug will be found etfectual, but would |
also use the manure-water. Another
precaution | would advise is to plant |
plenty of seed at the first planting; put |
ten or more seeds in the south half OF
the hill; week later put as many |
more in the north half. If you do not
get stand from the first planting you
probably will from the second.-Fdrm-
erS' Home Journal.