230 CROP GROWING AND CROP FEEDING 



were lapped on this, making a sharp ridge in the dead furrow. This ridge 

 was flattened slightly and a shallow furrow made on it in which the seeds were 

 sown. The crest of this bed was then quite below the level of the top of the 

 intervening lands. As the seeds appeared to germinate the bone dust was ap- 

 plied and when washed off by rain, renewed. As the plants developed they 

 were thinned to three feet apart and but one plant left in a place. The first 

 working was to throw furrows to the row from each side, and this process 

 was continued until, when the cultivation was done, the rows of plants stood 

 on top the lands and the dead furrows were between them. In this way the 

 roots were gotten down into the moist lower soil, and flourished as T have 

 never seen them since; and the crop was as fine as ever seen. About 700 

 pounds per acre of the fertilizer was used. This amount could not have 

 safely been applied to sandy land at a greater elevation or on a dry hill, but 

 on this soil, where moisture was always in reach, the fertilizer was completely 

 dissolved and used by the crop. There are so many varieties of watermelons 

 grown that it is hard to recommend the best. For growing for market and 

 for long shipping, there is no variety equal to the round Kolb Gem. This 

 is of fair quality and good appearance when cut, and has a tough rind that 

 bears handling. But for home use and a near market it is far inferior to 

 many others. Like a great many other things, the variety best adapted to 

 shipping purposes is not of the best quality. In our experience we have 

 found no watermelon that can equal in quality the Mclver Sugar melon. It 

 grows to a large size, has a thin rind and beautiful scarlet flesh, which never 

 cracks in wet weather, as most other varieties are apt to do, and in quality it 

 leaves nothing to be desired. Next to the Mclver we would place the Jones, 

 a very large, dark green melon of a round shape. It is a very productive 

 sort and will make melons from 50 to 70 pounds weight, or even more. With 

 these varieties we do not think either the market grower or the home gar- 

 dener need look further, for they combine all that is needed in a watermelon. 



