IRRIGATION OF THE GARDEN. 267 



subsequent irrigations need not be so prolonged or 

 copious. After the heads of the cabbage plants are 

 half formed no water whatever should be given, on 

 account of the excessive use of water having a ten- 

 dency to cause the growing heads to burst. After the 

 heads are fully formed the stalks may be split partially 

 down the side three or four inches, which retards 

 further expansion. 



Cauliflower. — Set out and treat the same as cab- 

 bages and the work is done. Irrigation is carried on 

 exadlly the same as for the cabbage crop, and liquid 

 manuring may be applied in the same way. We have 

 found Henderson's Snowball the best early variety. 

 Then in order of maturity come Extra Early Dwarf 

 Erfurt and Long Island Beauty . with the World Beater 

 coming last. If there is any deviation from the cabbage 

 pracftice of irrigation, more water than that ascribed for 

 the cabbage may be given. 



Watermelons. — In Colorado this is often a field 

 crop. The best soil for the melcJn patch is a sandy 

 loam. This should be heavily manured. Melons of 

 all kinds need an abundance of humus in order to 

 thrive best, and this should be supplied in the form of 

 stable manure. If manure is plentiful, scatter it thickly 

 over the whole field ; if rather scarce, economize by 

 manuring in the hills. Usually the ground is plowed, 

 pulverized, then furrowed eight feet each way and the 

 seeds planted about half-way up the sides of the ridges. 

 It is better for the starting of the crop if rains afford 

 moisture enough to germinate the seeds; but in case 

 of severe drouth, water is sometimes run in the rows 

 before planting, and perhaps more frequently after 



