CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 



Plate No. 8 Letting the Water Soak More as the Plants Grow. 



at any time. The cantaloupe does not seem to have the power to rally 

 from a check in growth or an injury of any kind; the set back, not only 

 hinders the production of early fruits, but seriously affects the size 

 and yield of the cantaloupes. There are numerous instances where un- 

 favorable conditions of some kind, have checked the growth, in some 

 part of a field that was planted and otherwise handled the same; invari- 

 ably that portion of the field will show marked difference in size, netting 

 or other qualities. The best promise of a good crop is a prompt and 

 steady growth from germination to maturity. 



The seedling period is the critical time in the development of a 

 crop of cantaloupes, for it is at this stage that the check in growth 

 usually occurs, from cold weather, high winds, lack of moisture or the 

 attacks of insects. 



A knowledge of the manner of growth of the root system and de- 

 velopment of the seedling, will in a measure explain the reasons for 

 the steps taken and the precautions that are necessary at this time in 

 handling the crop through this important period. 



Plate No. 2, represents two cantaloupe seedlings, the one on the 

 right revealing the plan of the root system that first develops when the 

 seed germinates; it penetrates almost directly down from the seed while 

 the stem or radical is pushing its way to the surface. These little roots 

 seem to form a temporary support for the plant during the first two or 

 three weeks, for up to this time the stem from the seed point to the 

 top of the ground is smooth and white, with no evidence of the lateral 



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