562 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, 



growth of the melou plants. It is not advisable to plant melon seeds or 

 set melon plants until the soil has become warm and the danger of frost 

 is past. Frequent harrowing from the first working until the seeds are 

 planted or the plants set is necessary for best results. Such working will 

 not only put the soil in good physical condition, but will destroy a good 

 many weeds and make the work of later cultivating much easier. 



Fertilizing 



Manure: Well rotted stable manure is the best form of fertilizer for 

 melons. Bulletin No. 155 Illinois Agricultural lOxperiment Station, "Fer- 

 tilizer Experiments with Muskmelons," gives results secured by the 

 Illinois Experiment Station and the manure applied broadcast and also 

 in the hills gave the largest net return. AVhon used in the hills it slionld 

 be well composted or decayed. 



Commercial Fertilisers: It is usually profitable to supplement the 

 manure with commercial fertilizers. A 4-8-10 formula is recommended as 

 one which may be used profitably on most soil types when the fertilizer 



A wagonload of Melons ready to ship. 



can be purchased at normal peace time prices. If clover is plowed under, 

 the percentage of nitrogen may be reduced. From 500 to 1000 pounds 

 per acre is the amount used by growers in various parts of the country. 

 Lighter applications may be made when manure is used in liberal amount. 

 When a heavy application of fertilizer is made, from one-half to three- 

 quarters of it may be applied broadcast with a fertilizer distributor or a 

 grain drill with a fertilizer attachment. The remainder of the fertilizer 

 should be applied in the hills and thoroughly worked into the soil before 

 the seeds are planted or the plants set. Nitrate of soda is sometimes ap- 

 plied in small amounts around the growing plants, but it must be used 

 with care to prevent burning the foliage. 



Planting the Seeds in the Field 



Melon seeds may be planted in the field a few days before it is safe to 

 set the plants. Care must be taken to drop the seeds into fine, moist soil. 



