158 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



not pulled, as the vines are fastened to these by their 

 tendrils and must not be disturbed. Cowpeas may be 

 sown broadcast at the last cultivation so as to fix the vines 

 against wind. 



Marketing watermelons. 



Marketing is a simple operation, and yet many fail from 

 various causes. Experience alone can guide one as to how 

 ripe the crop must be to reach the market in time. In 

 loading the car, care must be exercised to have all the prod- 

 uct of uniform size and ripeness. The melons are then 

 placed regularly and carefully, the long diameter being 

 placed lengthwise of the car. 



Saving seed. 



Only the finest watermelon specimens, and those on 

 vines free from disease, should be selected for seed. 

 Melons intended for seed may be marked by scratching 

 the rind ; and as soon as the marked fruit is full grown, 

 the other melons on those vines should be removed, so as 

 to throw as much vitality into the seeds as possible. The 

 melons should be allowed to become completely ripe, and 

 then removed to the packing house. They are cut in 

 two lengthwise and the flesh and seeds removed. The 

 flesh is dropped into a tub, and mashed well without in- 

 juring the seeds, and placed in a warm spot. The pulp 

 is turned into a barrel. In about forty-eight hours 

 the material will have fermented enough to macerate 

 the flesh ; the seeds may then be removed, by washing in 

 a No. 2 sieve. The seeds must not be allowed to remain 

 in the barrel longer than about sixty hours, as the heat 



