224 



PRIZE GARDENING 



barnyard manure was spread evenly over the bottom 

 of each hole to a depth of three inches and covered 

 with an inch of fine soil, on top of which was placed 

 two shovelfuls of compost; and this in turn covered 

 with three inches of fine sifted soil, thus raising the 

 hill level with the surface. The seeds were then 

 planted by hand to a depth of one and one-half to 

 two inches, fifteen or twenty seeds to the hill, placed 

 germ end down, and covered with the hand. Each 

 hill was then sown with a few radish seeds, lightly 

 covered, and the soil compacted. The hills were 

 made eight feet apart for watermelons, and six feet 

 apart for muskmelons. 



Cultivation was begun as soon as the plants were 

 up, and continued every other day until August i, 

 working as close to the hills as the vines would 

 admit, maintaining a fine mulch on the surface to save 

 moisture. As soon as the vines reached a length of 

 three feet, the ends were pinched off to promote the 

 growth of laterals and fruit close to the hills. The 

 object of sowing radish seed on each hill was for the 

 twofold purpose of furnishing a succession of radishes 

 and to protect the young plants from the ravages of 

 insects. As soon as the plants were out of the way of 

 insects, the radishes which had not already been 

 removed for table use were pulled, and the plants 

 thinned out, leaving three of the most thrifty plants to 

 a hill. These above methods apply equally well to 

 squashes and cucumbers. 



" Whether the presence of the radishes in the 

 hills had any protective influence, I cannot say ; certain 

 it is, however, that none of my melons, squashes or 

 cucumbers were troubled in tlie least with insects, and 

 the plan is not without value as it furnishes a succession 

 of radishes without utilizing extra ground. The vines 

 made a good growth, withstanding the severe drouth 



