272 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



under more favorably growing conditions the same seed and soil have 

 yielded standard sized cantaloupes. One of the first signs of promise 

 for early cantaloupes is a quick germination and rapid development 

 of large cotyledons. Seed that germinates slowly with small, yellow 

 appearing seed leaves has never made early cantaloupes. 



Irrigation. Moisture for the cantaloupe hill is generally sup- 

 plied by the irrigation furrow. It should always reach the seed or 

 plant by soaking through the soil. Irrigation should never be 

 allowed to over-soak or flood the ground, as the soil will then become 

 hard and not permit a good growth. The relation of irrigation to an 

 early set of cantaloupes is a somewhat mooted question. There are 

 growers who argue the use of frequent irrigations during the setting 

 period to secure a good set, and there are others who prefer to keep 

 the vines rather dry and even letting them show the need of water 

 before they will irrigate during the setting stage. There have been 

 results that seemed to support both theories, yet close observation 

 would not warrant following either plan to an extreme, but rather 

 a medium course of supplying enough moisture for an even, healthy 

 growth, which seems to be the essential condition all the way 

 through. An excess of irrigation during the hot weather in July will 

 doubtless tend to grow vines at the expense of early fruit; but the 

 most disastrous result of too much w^ater having the ground so 

 soaked that the surface is nearly all wet, and affording the moist, 

 dewy condition which is favorable to its development is in the 

 development of rust. The rust problem is a serious one in cantaloupe 

 culture in Colorado. Controlling it by proper application of irriga- 

 tion is only a palliative measure, yet a marked contrast is often seen 

 in two portions of a field ; one over-irrigated, and the other compara- 

 tively dry, aside from the moisture necessary to the growth of the 

 vines. Rainy weather and dewy nights afford the proper conditions 

 for the growth of the rust spore, and while the farmer cannot change 

 climatic conditions, yet by careful attention in the application of 

 water, having the rows well ditched, and with adequate waste laterals 

 to prevent over-soaking and flooding, the surface of the ground will 

 dry rapidly after a rain or an irrigation. Thus the dews at night will 

 be less, and in a measure alleviate the effects of rust. (U. Ariz. Cir. 

 77 ; Ag. Col. Colo. 62, 85, 95 and 108.) 



CARDOON. 



The cardoon is a thistle-like plant, very similar in appearance to 

 the Globe artichoke, but is grown as an annual. The seeds are sown 

 in early spring in a hotbed or cold frame and the plants transplanted 

 later to the open ground. The cardoon should be planted in rows 3 

 feet apart and 18 inches apart in the row on rich soil, where it can 

 secure plenty of moisture and make rapid growth. Toward autumn 

 the leaves are drawn together and the center blanched in the same 

 manner as endive. If intended for winter use, the leaves are not 

 blanched in the garden, but the plants are lifted with considerable 

 earth adhering to the roots and stored closely in a dark pit or cellar 

 to blanch. The blanched leaf stems are used for making salads, 

 soups, and stews. (F. B. 255.) 



