Rural School Llaflet. 767 



writer once had very good success in growing them after the following 

 plan: 



First, be certain that the seed is of the best quality. Then, about 

 the first week in April, take a sharp spade and cut several thick 

 turfs of sod — as many as you mean to have hills of melons; cut 

 them about six inches square ; if the grassy side of the sod is very firmly 

 matted, slightly loosen the fibers so that the roots may penetrate, but 

 not enough to allow the turf to fall apart. Place the sods bottom-side 

 up in a shallow box of wood or paste-board, and in the earthy side of 

 each plant four or five seeds; if the earth is not thick enough, put on a 

 few handfuls of good mealy soil. Place in a sunny window and keep 

 warm and moist. 



When the green cot3dedons or seed leaves have freed themselves from 

 the shell, notice which are the thriftiest plants and remove all but the 

 best two. Care for these as you would any house-plant and they will 

 grow, safe from late frosts and also from the striped beetles and other 

 insect enemies. They may safely acquire three or four true leaves and 

 be five or six inches tall before they are planted out of doors. 



When the warm, late May-days come, and the apple trees are in full 

 bloom, dig holes al)out eight inches deep and six feet apart in the sunniest 

 part of the garden, put in the bottom of each a spadeful of old, well- 

 rotted stable manure — that from a cow stable preferred — cover with 

 about two inches of sand or fine soil, and on this place the sod with its 

 growing plant, so gently that it will not know it has been moved. The 

 sod should be level with the ground, and be well "firmed" in place. 

 Leave but one plant in a hill and see that it never suffers from thirst. 

 Keep the weeds pulled and stir the surface of the soil about the hills 

 often until the vines begin to "run." 



When each vine has started the growth of about half a dozen little 

 melons, pinch off all other blossoms which form, and also nip the tips 

 of the vines and branches in order that all the plant-food manufactured 

 in the wonderful greenleaf laboratories may be sent, not into new growths, 

 but to thicken and sweeten the golden pulp of the half dozen fruits first 

 chosen. 



Big squashes and pumpkins and early cucumbers may be grown in 

 the same way. 



