St. Tammany farmer., 1906-05-05

ter, because during their growing
stage the plants should not suffer for
moisture. Sub-soiling gives excellent
results, but this should be done two
or three months before planting time,
and that is now impossible.
If the land is not well drained it
may be advisable to plant on ridges
two to four feet wide, but on light,
well-drained lands, by all means plant
on the level. ,7--.-.. sz..sss
Begin early. Plow the whole area
well, then follow with the disc har-
row. If there is not time to plow all
the ground, then break the rows two
or three feet for cucumbers and can
taloupes and four feet for water
melons and harrow or cultivate well,
leaving the remainder to be broken
later on. In the center OF the row
where the plants are to stand throw
out two burrows, leaving a good deep
furrow Then with a bull tongue plow
go cross-wise of these. burrows, thus
marking of the places where the hills
are to be. The land is now ready for
the fertilizer. s,sr
It is doubtful whether satisfactory
crop of melons or cucumbers can, be
grown without the use of some sta
BILE manure; certainly it can not be
as economically done without it as
with it. In every case thoroughly
well-rotted manure only should be
used. It may be used alone or mixed
with good woods mould-half of each,
Three or four large shovelfuls of this
mixture should be put at each hill,
scattering it over an area of three or
four feet square, or in the case of
closely planted cucumbers, distribut-
ed from end to end of the furrow.
For frame cucumbers, the manure
should be broad-casted and narrowed
in. Frequently, however, the cucum-
bers are planted after spring lettuce,
in which case the manure may be
omitted, a heavy application having
been given in preparing the beds for
lettuce.
From half pound to a pound of
good commercial fertilizer should be
applied in each hill, scattering 1t over
the manure or compost. In the case
Of cucumbers and cantaloupes\ the
amount may be reduced somewhat,
for this application, the remainder to
be put on later. But either of these
crops will require from 1000 to 1900
pounds per acre on most soils for best
results.
After applying the fertilizer, throw
the dirt back with the plow, filling up
the furrow and leave it ridged or
level as soil conditions may indicate,
preferably the latter. Following this
plowing, harrow the fertilized fur
rows thoroughly with a cutaway, or
oisc harrow, or cultivator. until the
ground is thoroughly pulverized and
put In the very finest possible condi-
ton. The marks between the rows
made with the bull tongue will serve
to indicate where the seeds are to be
sown. In between two and three
weeks the ground will be ready for
the seed. This interval. is necessary
to allow the fertilizer to become dis
solved and put into the best possible
shape for the young plants. If at any
time the plants have tendency to
come to a standstill, they may be
started OF by using just little nitrate
of soda. A teaspoonful to each small
plant is sufficient; scatter II about the
plant back from the stem and work
it in.
After the seed is planted, the mid
die spaces should be thoroughly brok-
en- and narrowed.
Cucurbits should never be allowed
to become stunted in their growth,
and the thorough preparation Of the
soil Is half (and a little more) OF the
making of the crop.
Fertilizer for melons or cucumbers
should analyze about per cent phos-
phoric acid, s per cent potash and
~ per cent nitrogen. A fertilizer Of
nearly this composition might be pur-
chased in the market. II SO desired,
however, the fertilizer may be mixed
at home. This is often the cheaper
plan and win give just as good re-
suits.
The following materials will give
approximately the above analysis:
Acid phosphate, IA per cent. 500 lbs.
Sulphate Of potash (high
grade) ............. 275 lDa.
Ccttonseed meal 1,225 lbs.
Total ..............2,00 1000 lbs.
Sulphate Of potash is likely to give
higher quality Of fruit In the case OF
watermelons and cantaloupes, though
IN the case e cucumbers mnriate will