The Busy Woman s Garden Book 



will act as a drain pipe by accumulating water 

 from the surface soil. The glass plant protectors 

 used in early spring are helpful in concentrating 

 the little sunshine cloudy weather affords and 

 where these are not available old window glass 

 may be used to afford protection from rain and 

 wind for a few days. This should be supported 

 on the north side by a frame or stout stakes, 

 their lower edge resting on the ground. 



The best soil for melons is a warm, sandy soil 

 well enriched with barnyard manure and a sup- 

 plementary shovelful should be placed in each 

 hill. Make the hills about six feet apart each 

 way, and thin out to three plants to a hill. If 

 desired such small sorts as Rocky Ford, Paul 

 Rose, Hoodoo and the like may be grown on 

 netting; they will not, perhaps, bear as freely, 

 but the fruit will be more perfect than when 

 grown on the ground, and there is this advantage 

 that the fruit drops when perfectly ripe so that 

 there is no uncertainty about gathering it. 

 Where there is only a small garden spot avail- 

 able the growing of melons, cucumbers and the 



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