VEGETABLE GROWING L\ XEW SOUTH. WALES. 



61 



field. The bed is thoroughly watered, and the band?, enclosing their masse* 

 of earth and plant roots, are lifted by means of a spade placed on a'flat 

 surface, and carried to the field, where they are set out with the aid of a flat 

 trowel, care being taken that the bottom of each square is in close contact 

 with the soil of the hill. The band is then removed, and fine, moist soil is 

 drawn in and firmed against the little square. 



Cuban Queen Water-melon. 



For the production of water-melons on a commercial scale a warm*climate 

 and an assured supply of moisture are essential; for market purposes, there- 

 fore, the crop is practically limited to the coast or to areas in the west that 

 can be irrigated. 



Melons respond to a liberal supply of farmyard manure, worked in and 

 about the hills. Where this is unobtainable a mixture of artificial manure 

 containing superphosphate, bone-dust, and blood, in equal parts, and applied 

 at the rate of 2 to 4 cwt. per acre, is useful. 



