34 THE GAEDENETTE 



THE POST HOLE METHOD 



FOR 

 GROWING MELONS, CUCUMBERS AND SQUASHES 



The essentials for growing these vines and 

 fruits in perfection are 



Fertility in available form, 



Moisture, without "sogginess," 



SAND! 



While all of these vines delight in a sandy soil, 

 both kinds of melons will only reach their greatest 

 perfection in size and flavor where there is much 

 sand in the soil. It is sand that makes southern 

 Indiana and Georgia famous for their melons. 



The Post Hole Method is adapted to growing 

 these luscious vegetables in limited areas, for a 

 few hills can be made in odd corners and out-of- 

 the-way places, the only natural condition neces- 

 sary being that of plenty of sunshine. The soil 

 is neither plowed nor spaded. 



Preparation of the Hills 



Dig a hole the size of a wash tub and about ten 

 inches deep. In the bottom of this hole, and in 

 the center of it, dig, with a common post auger, 

 or a narrow spade, a hole two feet deep and ten 

 inches in diameter. Fill the post-hole with coarse 

 stable litter avoiding sawdust, and pack this 

 down pretty firm. Fill the entire excavation with 

 a compost made up of two parts sand, one part 

 fine, well rotted manure, and one part good gar- 

 den soil. Mix thoroughly by shoveling over sev- 

 eral times. In finishing the filling, preserve the 

 bowl-like depression toward the center. When 



