Watermelons — Desirable Sorts. 177 



What is known as "warm land" is to be preferred for 

 this crop. The soil should be of a sandy or gravelly 

 nature, and it is not important that it should be very 



Kolb's Gerr.. 



rich. Plant as soon as the weather becomes settled ; 

 ordinarily about the middle of May. Cover about half 

 an inch deep and press the soil down firmly so as to 

 hold the moisture. Two shovelfuls of manure should 

 be put in each hill, or one in the hill with a light dress- 

 ing on top. The intervals should be eight feet each 

 way. Five seeds are put in each hill, and the plants, 

 after being well started, should be thinned out so as to 

 reduce the number to three. They require the same 

 cultivation as squash or any other field crop. 



Black Spanish is an old reliable variety, very hardy 

 and productive, and excellent for cultivation. The 



