The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-05-27

cept that which should be immed-
lately available and should be sup
piled in the form Of nitrate OF soda
or sulphate OF ammonia, will be made
up by the nitrogen gathered by the
Ecowpeas. II the land has not been
prepared by blowing under a crop
lof cowpeas a fertilizer carrying 3
To 4 per cent OF nitrate OF soda or
Su'phate OF ammonia, 8 TO 10 Der
cent OF potash, either sulphate or
muriate, and about 8 per cent OF
phosphoric acid in the form OF SUD-
erphosphate or high-grade acid
phosphate. should be used at The
rate Of 400 to 500 pounds TO the acre
II placed in the drills. II the fer
tilizer is broadcasted, double this
amount should be used.
The seed Of the watermelon should
not be planted until the soil has
been thoroughly prepared and until
u Is warm and all danger Of frost
has passed. Quick termination OF
The seed and rapid growth OF the
plants should be the aim i'm hand
ling this crop. As a rule. the plant
ing Of watrrmelons should he delay-
ed about fen days after that of plant
ing corn. Since the watermelon Is
vigorous growing plant, if il is 10
be planted in hills, the space be-
tween the hills should be about 8
feet and distance between the rows
the same. IT, however, the seed is
scattered along the rows the plants
may be thinned 10 stand a couple
g feet apart in the row but the dis
lance between the rows should be at
Last 8 feet.
a good method to follow in pre-,
pairing seed bed for planting water
melons is to open the furrow in
which to scatter the fertilizer and
after Incorporating il with the soil
by running side harrow or other
Implement over it, to turn two fur
rows together over the bed OF fer
tlllzer so as to form ridge or bed
on which To plant the seed. In sec
tions where the rainfall is abund-
ant IT is well to have the beds slight
ly above the general level of the sur
face hut in dry regions the seed
should be planted on the level or in
slight list. An abundance OF seed
should be used TO insure a dense
stand OF plants either in the hill or
IN the row depending upon the sys-
tenn Of planting used. After the
plants have advanced far enough so
that there Is no futher danger OF
loss from attacks OF insects, the
plants in hills should be thinned so
that only two or three OF the most
robust plants shall remain. Those
in rows should be thinned to stand
at intervals OF 2 TO pa feet. As
stated in the outset, careful cultiva-
ton should be maintained so as
Keep the plantation free of weeds as
long as the vine growth will per-
init. After the plants cover the
ground large weeds should be re-
moved by hand.
Some OF the best growers Of water
melons sow a light seeding OF cow
peas in the watermelon fields at the
time Of the last cultivation. The
cowpea acts as a partial shade 10
the fruits OF the watermelons and
is means Of preventing the vines
from being whipped by the wind.
Cowpeas are also an important asset
as they add fertility to the land.
For shipping purposes those var
ieties which have a firm and not too
thin rind should be chosen. The
fruits should be uniform in size and
should range in weight from 20 to
30 pounds. In order TO be profta-
BILE the variety must be productive
and the melons should be formed
early. Local experience should
serve as the best guide for the selec-
,riOn Of varieties. Growers, how
ever, should take in consideration
The requirements OF the market in
which the melons are 10 be sold.
Some markets demand a long melon
while others demand spherical ones.
Some markets prefer striped melons