278 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



Muskmelons. It is not easy to transplant this crop, though 

 it may be done if conditions are very favorable, and much care is 

 exercised. The seeds are usually planted in hills where the vines 

 are wanted. Manure or fertilizer is placed in the hills with the 

 seed, to force a quick growth, as they are naturally slow in start- 

 ing and easily fall a prey to various insect enemies, while still 

 small and tender. 



The two types of muskmelons are the large and small fruited. 



Soil for muskmelons should be very rich, with much available 

 plant food, and well drained. Different soils and exposures have 

 much influence on this crop. The soil should be warm when the 

 seeds are planted. Then with favorable weather they will sprout 

 and grow quickly past the danger from the striped beetles. About 

 fifteen seeds should be planted in each hill. The hills should be 

 about four feet apart each way on poor soil, but farther apart on 

 soil which will cause more abundant growth of vines. 



After the danger of attacks from various enemies is over, the 

 hills should be thinned and only two or three of the strongest 

 plants left. Cultivation should be deep and thorough, and con- 

 tinued as long as possible, or until there is danger of injuring the 

 vines. Horse tillage may be used in large fields, with the addition 

 of hand work close to the hills. In a small garden, hand hoeing 

 alone may suffice. 



Melon rust is another enemy of these plants. It can be con- 

 trolled more or less successfully by spraying with Bordeaux mix- 

 ture, using a weak solution. 



In selecting muskmellons for the garden, a variety which shows 

 well developed netting will be found the most satisfactory, as the 

 flavor is usually much better than in those showing little or no 

 netting. 



Striped beetles attack the young plants and make short work 

 of them unless great care is exercised. Repeated spraying with 

 Bordeaux mixture in which some Paris green is dissolved will 

 poison many. Others may be driven away with land plaster or 

 sifted ashes. The odor of turpentine or carbolic acid will sometimes 

 drive them away. 



Melon lice begin their depredations when the plants begin to 

 vine out. As the lice suck the juice of the plants, they must be 

 killed by suffocation. Spray with kerosene emulsion or nicotine 

 sulfate, or fumigate under tubs, using tobacco paper. 



Watermelons are an important truck crop. They can be grown 



