Mushrooms — Muskmelons, 1 4 1 



cover the whole bed with fine loam, to the depth of two 

 inches, making it firm with the back of a shovel or 

 spade. Apply water only when the soil is very dry. 



The bed must be in a covered situation, and in a 

 dark place, with the temperature at about 50°, and the 

 prepared soil must be kept dr)- from the commence- 

 ment. If everything favors, the mushrooms will ap- 

 pear in six or eight weeks, and will continue over two 

 months. By careful applications of water at the tem- 

 perature of about 70^ the season may be prolonged. 



MusKMELON {Cucumis Mclo). The Muskmelon will 

 succeed best in soil naturally strong and rich, and on a 

 recently turned sod. The best way is to turn the land 

 over at the proper time and apply about five cords of 

 manure broadcast, using a spreader where one can be 

 had. Af:er harrowing thoroughly, the ground should 

 be marked off for hills, six feet apart each way. A 

 shovelful of fine manure should be applied in the 

 hills, which should be slightly raised, so that water wi'.l 

 not stand around the plants. Seven or eight seeds 

 should be put in a hill so as to make due allo.vancc for 

 insects. 



After the plants have got their fourth leaf well out, 

 and have obtained a good start, they should be thinned 

 to three in a hill. Cultivate both ways thoroughly, the 

 same as a crop of squash or other vines would be 

 treated. They should never be hoed or worked around 

 when the leaves are wet with rain or dew. 



In picking for market, it is an easy matter to tell 

 when the fruit is fit to be taken, as the under side of 

 the melon will be lightly streaked with yellow. If 



