272 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENS 



Companion crop. Lettuce may be grown as a com- 

 panion crop for early cabbage by alternating rows of 

 lettuce and cabbage. Cabbage plants may also be set 

 in the lettuce rows, taking the place of what has been 

 used. 



Pests. Lettuce is sometimes attacked by white grubs. 

 If the plants wilt down, dig for the grub ; they may 

 revive if the roots are not injured too severely. Dig for 

 cutworms if plants are cut off. A dressing of nitrate of 

 soda will be beneficial if the plants are attacked by either 

 white grubs or cutworms. Sprinkle with water to carry 

 the nitrate into the soil. Cabbage worms sometimes 

 attack lettuce ; they may be removed by hand picking. 



MELONS 



Soil. Melons thrive best in a light, rich soil contain- 

 ing considerable sand. Make the soil in the hill fine and 

 mix with it a shovelful or two of well-rotted manure. 



Culture. Plant after all danger of frost is over, 

 placing ten or twelve seeds in a hill. Make muskmelon 

 hills five or six feet apart and watermelon hills eight or 

 ten feet apart each way. Thin to three or four plants 

 in a hill. 



Cold frame. A few seeds may be planted in inverted 

 sod in a cold frame and transplanted for early use. (See 

 directions under " The Cucumber.") 



Culture. Keep a surface mulch until the vines shade 

 the soil. 



