The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1906-05-19
FARMER AND PLANTER.
The SOUTHERN TRUCK FARM.
~" 70 Prepare the Land, Seed and
Ferfiiiser For CantaIoupes, Wa
termelons and Cucumber.,


These crops are very much alike in
every way. They are closely related
an the plant world, all being cucur
oits, and they are very closely related
IN their SOIL climate and cultural re
quirements. In large measure, what
may be said regarding one of them
VIII apply equally to the others. This
distinction must, however. be made
ehat cantaloupes and watermelons are
esteemed for their ripe fruit while a
ripe cucumber is worthless for the
taoie. And In consequence, cucum-
oers may be grown successfully on
lands containing an amount of mois-
ture which would be totally ruinous
10 the quality of cantaloupes and to a
less degree to watermelons.
All these plants are vigorous grow
ers and require thorough preparation
OF the soil. The necessity for this
may be realized better when we saw
that the aggregate length of roots is
many times that of the vines. and a
single root will be nearly or quite as
long as the vine. The ground must
be well puiverized and in a good state
OF filth. This. can not be done with.
out blowing the ground well and re.
peatedly narrowing it.
Cucumbers should be planted in
rows about five feet apart, with the
plants four feet apart in the rows.
The distance for cantaloupes should
be five by five feet, five by six feet.
or six by six feet, while watermelons
should be given ten by ten feet. or
twelve by twelve feet. When grown In
frames, cucumbers may be planted
three by four or even three by three
feet
Look well to the drainage of the
land. 1t should be SO drained that
water will not stand ON the surface
long after a rain. Water scalds the
vines. On the other hand, the soil |
should be put in such shape as to en-
able 1t to hold large amount of wa
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.
II the land is not well drained it
may be advisable to plant on ridges
two to four feet wide. but on light.
lands, by all means plant
On the level.
Begin early. Pillow the whole area
we'll, then follow with the disc har-
row. IL there Is not time to pillow all
he ground. then break the rows two
,r three feet for cucumbers and can
.aloupes and four feet for water
Melons and harrow or cultivate well.
eaving the remainder to be broken
alter on. In the center of the row
where the plants are to stand throw
'ut two burrows, leaving good deep
urrow. Then with bull tongue pillow
20 cross-wise of these burrows. thus
marking of the places where the hills
RE to be. The land is now ready for
he fertilizer.
It Is doubtful whether a satisfactory
rop OF melons or cucumbers can be
rown without the use of some sta
lie manure; certainly it can not be !
s economically done without it as !
nth 1t. In every case thoroughly
'ell-rotted manure only should be z
sed. 1t may be used alone or mixed q
18th good woods mould-half of each. a
hree or four large shovelfuls of this T
fixture should be put at each hill.
catering 1t over an area of three or o
,ur feet square, or in the case of
osely planted cucumbers, distribut- p
] from end to end of the furrow. G
For frame cucumbers, the manure p
,ould be broad-casted and narrowed II
!. Frequently. however, the cucum- u
srs are planted after spring lettuce. n
which case the manure may be 1
nitted. a heavy application having Ell
zen given in preparing the beds for al
ttuce. W
From half a pound to a pound of Il
'od commercial fertilizer should be
'plied In each hill, scattering 1t over
e manure or compost. In the case
cucumbers and cantaloupes the
mount may be reduced somewhat, tr
r this application, the remainder to ii
} put on later. But either of these In
ops will require from 1000 to 1,5OO tn
unds per acre on most soils for best
suits. IT,
After applying the fertilizer, throw ca
Q dirt back with the plow, filing up in
9 furrow and leave 1t ridged or W,
rel as soil conditions may Indicate,
eferably the latter. Following this VII
owing, harrow the fertilized fur ga
VS. thoroughly with a cutaway, or tic
&c harrow, or cultivator, until the ce
,und Is thoroughly pulverized and
in the very finest possible condi- or
n. The marks between the rows do
de with the bull tongue will serve fet
indicate where the seeds are to be te,
vn. In between two and three
eks the ground will be ready for ~,
seed. This interval Is necessary w.,
allow the fertilizer to become dis ~,
we'd and put into the best possible o,,
lpe for the young plants. II at any
le the plants have a tendency to va.
ne to standstill, they may be AR
rted on by using just little nitrate Mo
soda. A teaspoonful to each snail liz
Mt is sufficient; scatter 1. about the -,
AZ hark from tho c<orv, oux1 -o-,-