62 VEGETABLE GROWING IN. NEW SOUTH WALES. 



In field culture the usual practice is to strike out furrows with the plough, 

 say 10 feet to 15 feet apart, according to the soil conditions. Hills are 

 worked up in the furrows 6 to 8 feet apart with ordinary or pronged hoes, 

 and the seed placed under the surface, or the plants set after having been 

 raised as described above. If seed is planted out at once, plenty should 

 be used to allow for losses. Some farmers throw a few handfuls of dry 

 farmyard manure oil the top of the hill, so that the soil will not cake. 



The land is cultivated between the rows as long as the vines will permit, 

 after which they are left to themselves. 



Melons are usually marketed in open trucks, without either bags or crates. 

 Large numbers of melons, grown on the banks of North Coa*st rivers are 

 marketed without any packing, the growers simply taking the precaution of 

 scratching a brand on the rind. 



In the case of home-grown crops greater care is taken in preparing the 

 hills, more manure being used, and the p ] ants being specially treated with 

 liquid manure. 



Diseases and Pests. See list attached to pumpkin (page 74). 



Rock-melon Culture. 



A good stiff loam that responds well to cultivation has been found to be 

 the best soil for this crop. It should be broken up about June, left until 

 early Spring, and then brought into condition. 



A method of raising early crops that has been successfully adopted by some 

 growers is as follows : Holes are dug about 6 feet apart in drills which are 

 about 9 feet apart, and a quantity of poultry manure, which has been 

 thoroughly decomposed in a pit or trench during the previous year, is thrown 

 into them. This manure brings the soil in the holes into a very favourable 

 condition for growing the melons, and the seed is then planted into it. 



As early crops are desired the seed is shot before sowing. This is done by 

 soaking it for twenty-fc-ur hours and placing it in a bag, which is again 

 placed in a bag of chopped up green-stuff. The heat generated by the 

 fermenting green-stuff causes the seeds to send out its shoots rapidly, and as 

 these are naturally very brittle great care must be taken of them when 

 planting. 



Hock-melons may also be grown by the same methods as water-melons, 

 and the same devices used for transplanting. 



Cultivation between the rows should be carried out systematically, and for 

 as long as it is possible without damage to the plants, which are delicate, and 

 easy of injury. 



Diseases and Pests. See list attached to pumpkin (page 74). 



MINT. 



See Herbs (page 56). 



