133 Vegetaple Growing in Southern Arizona, 



It is very productive, and continues bearing longer than other 

 early varieties tested. Fordhook First is also a good early melon. 

 Phinney's Early and Cole's Early have been the popular early 

 melons heretofore, but the quality of neither is satisfactory, and 

 the remunerative season short. For a main crop Florida Favo- 

 rite, Georgia Rattlesnake, Sweet Heart, and Kleckley Sweets are 

 among the popular varieties of watermelons. 



Among varieties of muskmelons the Rockyford, or Netted 

 Gem, is probably the most popular. Other desirable varieties are 

 Nutmeg, Hackensack, Cassaba, and Banana. 



ONIONS. 



Culture. The onion is grown quite successfully in our re- 

 gion, if planted at the right time and treated properly. It endures 

 both low and high temperatures, if supplied with sufficient water. 

 Since their season of growth is long, consideraale labor is involved 

 in growing them. While they will grow in quite a variety of 

 soils, they enjoy a fertile, loamy one, especially a soil rich in 

 humus. The latter may be supplied by the application of an 

 abundance of well rotted stable manure that is thoroughly mixed 

 with the soil. They may be planted in the same soil for years, 

 rotation not being essential as in the case of most other crops. 

 The best time to sow the seed is from the middle of September to 

 the middle of October. Either of two methods may be pursued: — ■ 

 they may be sown in rows where they are to remain, or they may 

 be sown broadcast in beds from which they are to be transplanted. 

 There is little difference in the amount of labor required, and the 

 latter method has some advantages: The seed is confined to a 

 small area that can be kept moist more easily, the soil to which 

 they are to be transplanted can be more readily kept free from 

 weeds during the time when it would otherwise be occupied with. 

 the young plants, and an even stand is assured. Some growers 

 sow in single rows 18 to 24 inches apart; while others sow in 

 double rows 6 to 10 inches apart, with a space between wide 

 enough to permit cultivation with a horse. When the plants are 

 a few 7 inches high they should be thinned to four to six inches 

 apart, if they have been sown where they are to stand; or trans- 

 planted out that distance apart, if the young plants have been 

 grown in a bed. They will need to be irrigated frequently and 



