500 MANUAL OF GARDENING 



Give the hills a distance of 6 to 10 feet apart. Choose a warm, 

 "quick" soil and sunny exposure. It is essential, in the North, that 

 the plants grow rapidly and come into bloom early. One ounce of 

 seed will plant thirty hills. 



There are several white or yellow-fleshed varieties, but aside from 

 their oddity of appearance they have little value. A good watermelon 

 has a solid, bright red flesh, preferably with black seeds, and a strong 

 protecting rind. Kolb Gem, Jones, Boss, Cuban Queen, and Dixie 

 are among the best varieties. There are early varieties that will ripen 

 in the Northern season, and make a much better melon than those 

 secured on the market. 



The so-called "citron," with hard white flesh, used in making pre- 

 serves, is a form of watermelon. 



