HORTICULTURE 267 



complete fertilizer. Then cover fertilizer and manure with 

 soil and plant the seeds in this soil. In cultivating, plow 

 both ways of the checked rows and throw the earth toward 

 the plants. 



Some growers pinch off the vines when these have 

 grown about three feet long. This is done to make them 

 branch more freely, but it is not necessary. 



A serious disease, the watermelon wilt, is rapidly spread- 

 ing through the melon sections. This disease is caused 

 by germs in the soil. If land ever becomes infected with 

 these germs, it is nearly impossible to destroy them. If 

 the wilt appear in your neighborhood, do not allow any 

 stable manure to be used on your melon land, since the 

 germs are scattered chiefly by means of stable manure. 



FIG. 230. DEWBERRIES 



