The Prescott daily news., 1921-04-09

] large yield, and an early maturing crop and crop of the best grade, we will certainly realize the necessity of heavy fertilization and the i'm portance of fertilizer of the proper grade If light application of fer tiilzer has already been made, this can be largely overcome by making another application at later date, after the vines have started to throw out runners.
 The matter of cultivation is another important factor in the production of a good crop of cantaloupes, in fact this stands out as one of the most pressing and vital questions. We may prepare the land over so thor oughly, and we may use large amounts of fertilizers of a suitable grade, but if cultivation is neglected the crop will be anything but a sue cess. This means cultivation from the time the plants begin to push through the soil until the crop is made. Let us remember that mois ture is the limiting factor in crop growth, that plant foods, however abundant they may be in the soil, the plants cannot take them up except through the soil water. Cultivation conserves the soil moisture first Of all and secondly, destroys weeds, and while we should grow cantaloupes in stead of grass and weeds, still the moisture supply in the soil is so far greater importance than the mere matter of killing weeds. Don't let the weeds grow, but never allow the soi to crust.
 The insect problem is one of the most difficult to meet in the growing of better cantaloupes. The striped beetle and the aphis are the enemies we should go after The control of the striped beetle is largely matter of cultural methods. If the soil is kept stirred often around the plants and they are kept growing rapidly, the beetles will not do much harm. The most serious damage to the plan, occurs when the small seedlings are just coming through the ground Al this stage, if the beetles attack them in large numbers, very serious dam age often results. The beetles can be kept off the plants quite satisfac- torily by dusting with air-slaclled lime, tobacco dust, and many of the commercial insect powders will d. effective work in controlling them After the plants have put on the rough leaves, and the beetles con- tinue their attacks, spraying with arsenate of lead, ? pounds to 90 gal Ions of water will give good results Whenever the beetles appear, in large numbers, very prompt and effective work will be required to save the crop from damage.
 The melon apnis does not do seri- ous damage every year, but the melon grower cannot afford to take chances with this destructive pest. When it appears in large numbers, and the infestation of melon field becomes general, the situation is well nigh hopeless. We hope the cantaloupe growers will not suffer any losses from the aphis this season, but iy reality, we have little or no basis for this hope. The only way by which the aphis can be effectively controlled and the crop saved from serious dam ace, is by close watchfulness and prompt measures when the aphs $ discovered. Procrastination is fatal after the aphis has appeared Tbe destruction of effected plants is not sufficient. It occasionally gives tenn porary relief, but it should not be de pended on.
 The most effective means yet de- yeloped for aphis control is thorough and timely spraying with the su- phate of nicotine (Blackleaf 4O) The melon grower who wishes to be pre- pared for eventualities and save his crop from injury will do well to give this matter serious consideration
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