184 FUNDAMENTALS OF AGRICULTURE. 



As a Pasture Crop. Peanuts are also used as a 

 pasture crop for hogs, allowing the hogs to gather the 

 crop. 



The peanut is an important commercial crop in 

 North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and North 

 Louisiana. 



3. Watermelons do best on sandy well-drained soils. 

 The hilly lands of the Southern States, when made 

 very rich, are well adapted to the growing of melons. 



Preparation of the Land. The land should be put 

 in good condition. If stable manure is used, it should 

 be distributed some time before planting and allowed 

 to rot. Two shovelfuls of a compost, made of stable 

 manure, cotton-seed meal and acid phosphate, applied 

 under each hill and thoroughly mixed with the soil, will 

 prove beneficial. If this is not available, a mixture of 

 500 to 600 pounds of equal parts of cotton-seed meal 

 and acid phosphate applied broadcast is sufficient per 

 acre. The rows should be marked off 10 feet wide. 



Cultivation. Shallow and frequent cultivation is 

 best, being careful not to disturb the vines. When 

 cultivating the last time cowpeas may be planted be- 

 tween the rows, which will improve the soil and pre- 

 vent the vine from sunburning. On account of dis- 

 eases melons should not be planted on the same land 

 two years in succession. 



How to Grow Large Melons. Very large melons 

 may be grown by selecting two or three of the best 

 from each hill, keeping the others cut off. Melons 

 weighing 60 pounds will readily sell for 40 or 50 cents, 

 when 2O-pound melons will be hard to sell at 10 cents 

 each. 



Watermelons are an important commercial crop in 

 many sections; thousands of carloads are shipped to 

 the markets during the season. Watermelons for the 

 market must have a strong firm rind. 



EXERCISE. Name some of the root crops grown in your locality. 

 Give the tonnage per acre. State the methods used for storing them. 

 Bring an Irish and a sweet potato to the classroom and note the 



