41 



Meed sown in drills and covered half an inch deep. — 

 The middle of Spring is the proper time for sowing. 

 The plants shonld be thinned to six inches. It grows 

 best on a dry, mellow, and rich soil. When the liow- 

 ers are about to expand gather a supply for winter 

 and hang it in a shady place to dry. It is used as a 

 seasoning in soups and meats, also as a medicine. 



Melon. — The melon holds a conspicuous place among 

 fruits. There are two varieties, the 3Iusk ( Cncinnis 

 melo,) and the Water Melon [ci'cnrUta citndliis). There 

 are a large number of kinds of each sort. Of the 

 former, the Nutmeg, the Green fleshed, the Earli/ Chris- 

 tim, the Beechwood, and Skillman's Fine Nettled, are 

 deservedly popular. Of the latter, the Black Spanish, 

 Mountain Sprout, Carolina, Long Island, and Mountain 

 Sweet are desirable kinds. 



"Manure and dig the ground well for Musk Melons. Plant 

 them in May, six feet apart each way. Put twelve seeds in at 

 each place, and if all grow, pull up all but three at a place when 

 the plants are four inches high. Dust them with lime or ashes, 

 in the mornings while wet with dew, twice a week, until they have 

 four large leaves, to keep off grubs and bugs. The fruit will be 

 ripe in August. It has a sweet scent, and parts from the vine on 

 being touched when ripe- It is a delicious and wholesome fruit. 



"The water melon is cultivated in the same way as the musk 

 melon, except that they are planted ten feet apart each way. — 

 Both musk and water melons flourish best on rich, sandy loam. — 

 The water melon is ripe when it has a breaking sound on being 

 pressed by the hand; it is a wholesome fruit. 



To have melons a month earlier than by the above method, 

 have boxes made two feet square, sixteen inches deep at back, 

 and eight inches deep at front, with sloping sides, and a glazed 

 sash to fit, with a lath on each side as high as the sash, to keep it 

 from being blown off with high winds. Having all ready about. 

 the first of May, dig holes about two feet wide and two feet deep; 

 put eighteen inches of hot horse manure in them, and a foot of 

 earth above it. Plant the seeds an inch deep in the middle, and 

 place the box and sash on it. When the plants are an inch high, 

 push down the sash a little every day to admit air. Be sure to 

 draw it close up at night, and if there appears to be frost, cover 

 the sash with mats or boards over night. Water when needed. 

 The sash can be taken off in warm days; after the plants have 

 four leaves, both box and sash might be taken off altogether by 

 (he siBCond week in June." — Cottage Garden. 



