Vegetables with Edible Fruits 159 



generated is liable to make them sprout. As soon as the 

 seeds are washed they should be drained and dried quickly 

 without any heat. Melon seeds have been kept for twelve 

 years without losing vitality. 



Diseases and insects. 



The watermelon is subject to practically the same pests 

 as the cucumber and the muskmelon. The profit an acre 

 on a crop of watermelons is so small, however, that the 

 ordinary methods of combating insects and diseases are 

 unprofitable. On this account the grower rarely plants 

 a crop of watermelons on the same land in successive 

 years. The aphis may be successfully combated by 

 using finely ground tobacco dust. The campaign must 

 be begun immediately on discovery of the aphis, and it 

 is best to destroy the hills in which the first attack is 

 discovered. 



Varieties of watermelon. 



In choosing a variety to raise, one should be sure that 

 the meat is solid and the rind hard and strong, if wanted 

 for a distant market. The following varieties will be 

 found good : Tom Watson, Kolb Gem, Florida Favorite, 

 Augusta Rattlesnake, Lord Bacon, and Duke Jones. 



For home use and local markets, much will depend on 

 the local demands: usually, these want a small, or 

 medium-sized melon, very sweet, with thin rind and red- 

 fleshed. The following varieties will be found to be 

 useful : Seminole, Ice Cream, and Mountain Sweet. 

 If the last-mentioned is desired, be sure that seed from a 

 good strain is obtained. 



