CHAPTER IX. 



Melons and Cucumbers. 



AS thousands of acres are annually devoted to these 

 plants, and as the profits largely depend on the earli- 

 ness of the crop, any method by which an increased 

 earliness can be economically secured is well worthy the at- 

 tention of growers. While the common plan of boxes and 

 glass answers well, boxes are not only clumsy to handle and 

 pack away every year, but the cost of material, labor and 

 handling is quite an item. Many years ago, realizing these 

 facts, I hit upon a plan that answers much better than the 

 wooden box. The glass, once bought, if carefully handled, 

 will last a long time. The accompaning cut, page 50, shows 

 how it is done. A 10x12 glass is large enough, and a pattern 

 box 4 inches deep and 7x9 inches, is made of dressed lumber, 

 the smooth side being out, to prevent soil from adhering. 

 This has neither top or bottom, and after ridges about three 

 feet wide have been thrown up at the proper distances, and 

 smoothed off ready for the seed, the frame is placed on the 

 center, the damp soil drawn up around it to the top and well 

 pressed by hand, leaving a hollow hill four inches deep and 

 about four inches wide on top all around from the edge of 

 the box to where it slopes down. After firming well on top 

 with a smooth piece of plank, so that the hill will not settle 

 or run after heavy rains, lift the frame out and the ground is 

 ready for the seeds, which are to be planted rather shallow in 

 the bottom. A pane of 10 x 12 glass is then laid over the 

 hole, resting on the surface of the hole or future hill. By 

 gently pressing the glass down the air can be entirely exclu- 

 ded, and seed can be thus planted long before the usual time. 

 They come up very quickly, and incur no danger from cut- 

 worms or other insects, or from a freeze, as the natural 

 warmth of the earth will always carry melon or cucumber 

 4 HORT. 



