MELON-GROWING IN THE HOUSE 177 



but the grower using the chemicals indicated will have better results in diflferent 

 ways. Most important of all, the flavor will be far superior to what it would 

 be if manure water alone were used. Deficiency in flavor may be due to various 

 causes, as lack of root action or too much moisture, both in the air and at the 

 roots. With proper care in feeding and good root action the results should be 

 excellent. It is not always a question of size, but when the grower can com- 

 bine size with high quality the height of his ambition is realized. Still, a Melon 

 five or six pounds in weight is sufficient for all purposes. 



GATHERING THE FRUIT 



Flavor may be assisted somewhat by gathering the fruit at the right stage 

 of development. If allowed to get over-ripe, the flesh will be of a soft, musky 

 flavor, disagreeable rather than palatable. When they finish with full vigor. 

 Melons will ripen very quickly. Sometimes the color will change in a night; 

 the fruit will emit a strong perfume, and it will probably also show signs of part- 

 ing from the stalk; it is then in the best possible condition for gathering, though 

 it may seem quite solid. At this stage it should be placed in a cool, airy room 

 and kept there for a few days, according to the weather. This will allow the 

 fruit to soften or mellow, and it will then retain its full flavor. Melons should 

 not be kept in the refrigerator for many hours before using; this is often done 

 with the result that the grower is blamed for a fault not his own, for Melons 

 so treated lose in flavor. 



No doubt many excellent varieties have been condemned through lack of 

 knowledge in gathering at the proper stage of ripeness. 



INSECTS AND MILDEW 



The careful grower will not be troubled much with either insect life or 

 fungous diseases. These are generally brought on by careless airing and in- 

 effective spraying. Red spider is the most dreaded insect; if not checked it 

 will ruin the crop in a short time, as it makes rapid headway on the soft foliage. 

 A clean start is the best preventive for this evil. Give the house a wash-down 

 after every crop. The pest can be eradicated by the effective use of the spray, 

 applying it directly under the foliage with as much force as the leaves will stand. 

 Sponging foliage of this kind is harmful. 



Green fly must also be destroyed. Although it is not often troublesome, 

 yet it may be brought about through too drj- an atmosphere. Melon vines will 

 absolutely refuse to grow when infested with green fl\-, for it causes the leaves 

 to curl up and gives the vine a stunted appearance. It can be easily killed 

 off with a light fumigation a couple of nights in succession; this is better than too 

 strong an application at one time. As the tender leaves are easily damaged, 

 heavy smoking is not good for them, especially in very warm Summer weather; 

 the foliage will not stand as much then as in cold weather. 



Mildew does not often attack the foliage. It is at times a bit troublesome 

 toward the Fall. A light dusting of sulphur on the foliage, or a patch put on 



