54 MELONS. 



After the vines spread, they reqttire no attention fur- 

 ther than to go among them every morning, and with 

 a hoe cover up every blossom that is to be seen. For 

 convenience, the ground should be in long beds, so 

 that the cultivator may walk between them without 

 treading on the vines. When all the vines are cover- 

 ed, a considerable bed of earth will have been raised 

 on the original one, and in this bed, and from the 

 blossoms so covered up, will spring a mass of nuts as 

 thick together as they can grow. In half a yard 

 square of ground, I have raised a peck of very large 

 nuts. An acre of ground would produce to the 

 amount of several hundred dollars. The nuts are 

 much larger and better than those brought from the 

 West Indies. 



CULTIVATION OF MELONS. 



As the watermelon is one of the most delicious lux- 

 uries of our Summer season, it is proper that all the 

 light which experience has gathered concerning its 

 cultivation, should be given to the community. There 

 is no production of the earth which improves more 

 by cultivation than the watermelon. From a small 

 worthless article, it may by cultivation be brought to 

 a large delicious fruit, frequently weighing from 

 twenty to thirty pounds. I shall give the best mode 

 of cultivating them with which I am acquainted. 



