84 THE WATERMELON 



Cut worms are sometimes troublesome, but are easily found 

 and should be killed upon first sight. If in large numbers 

 thev are destro3'ed by strewing poisoned baits of clover, grass, 

 cabbage, etc., about the patch. Watermelons are sometimes 

 troubled with an aphis, the remedy for which is kerosene 

 • emulsion. Fungous diseases can be controlled by means of 

 the Bordeaux mixture. 



(e) Picking. The watermelon begins ripening during 

 August in New England, and continues in bearing until 

 frost kills the vines. A sign of ripeness in some varieties is 

 the dying of the curl on the vine opposite the melon ; while in 

 some others the skin resting upon the ground changes from a 

 light green to a dull yellow. Experts generally test the ripe- 

 ness by snapping the melon with the middle finger. When 

 this is done on the ripe fruit the sound is like that made by 

 striking a cask full of water, while the sound from a green 

 melon is more like that given oft' when striking an empty 

 cask. Another test is to press the melon with the palm of 

 the hand, at the same time bringing it close to the ear. If it 

 has any tendency to yield, or a slight cracking of the flesh 

 can be heard, it is usually ripe. A green melon will remain 

 hard and firm. 



(f) Storing and Marketing. The quality of the water- 

 melon is finer if gathered in the morning when cool ; the fruit 

 will also keep in better condition. Melons picked at the 

 proper time, carefully handled, and stored in a cool cellar, 

 will keep from four to six weeks. 



The best melon for home use or the general retail trade in 

 New Hampshireis a medium-sized variety with a thin rind, 

 red flesh, early, and extra sweet, weighing from twelve to 

 twenty-five pounds. Market gardeners who have not attempted 

 growing this crop can little realize what can be accomplished 

 in the way of building up a good trade with this fruit. Tlie 

 home-grown melon, fresh from the field, will recommend 

 itself. We have had men test them who have been born and 

 raised in the South, who pronounced them as highly flavored 

 and delicious as any the}^ had ever tasted. The markets are 

 very good, and the fruits sell readily at from one to two cents 

 a pound. 



