EXPERIENCE WITH MUSKMELONS AT THIS STATION 53 



When the plowing is done in spring, it should be performed 

 early that the material turned under ma}^ have time to at least 

 partially decompose before the roots begin feeding upon them. 

 A heavy soil is plowed and worked more deeply than a lio-hter 

 one. It should be well pulverized before making the hills. 



After planting cultivation was continued both to a good 

 depth and at comparatively frequent intervals. As the plants 

 grew larger, it was lessened, until, when the foliage occupied 

 most of the area, it was stopped altogether. The amount of 

 hand hoeing depends upon the weediness of the ground but 

 should be resorted to at least every week or ten days at first to 

 keep the plants growing. After heavy, dashing storms or in 

 extremely dry weather a slight amount of hoeing loosens up 

 the soil. 



Planting and thinning. The soil was marked out, five by 

 six feet, and the hills made at the intersections. When a 

 shovel plow is used, it requires but little work with a hoe to 

 prepare each hole for receiving the compost. The compost is 

 next added and mixed in each hill with about equal parts of 

 the loose soil. This fills the hole level full when well firmed. 

 Each hill is then slightly raised by drawing the loose dirt over 

 the compost to a depth of one and one-half inches. 



The seed of all the varieties was planted on May 29th. 

 From fifteen to twenty seeds were placed in each hill to in- 

 sure against failure in germination, insect troubles, etc. The 

 seed should always be planted sidewise or flat for best results 

 in germination. They were pressed into the soil and covered 

 not over one inch in depth. By firming the soil in the usual 

 way with the back of the hoe, germination is hastened. As 

 soon as the plants were suflficiently established, they were 

 thinned to four plants in the hill. 



Pruni?2g or pinching oft^the end of the vine is often resorted 

 to when the plants are a few feet in length in order to force out 

 the lateral growth which bears the fruit. This is seldom 

 practised, however, bv large growers. It is advisable to re- 

 move all fruit that sets too late to mature in order to strengthen 

 the others. 



