Io6 THE WATERMELON 



T>, . , f light seed <( Phinney's Early, 



rhinney type j j j 



(oblong shape) 1 ^^^.^ ^^^j_ 



Summary 



1. The watermelon should be grown more generally in the 

 North. 



2. It is believed that the great drawback to successful 

 watermelon growing is improper culture. With a better 

 selection of soils and more pains taken in the preparation of 

 the hills it is surprising what a large per cent, of even the 

 Southern varieties will mature here. 



3. The best planting dates for Southern New Hampshire 

 have been found to be from May 20th to the 3Tst. 



4. For the preparation of the hills see page 82. 



5. One of the worst enemies of the watermelon is the small 

 striped cucumber beetle so commonly found on squashes, 

 cucumbers, etc. For remedy, see page S3. 



6. The earlier varieties begin to mature in August. Signs 

 of ripening are discussed under head of picking. 



7. A comparative test of varieties is shown on page 85, and 

 a description of each is alphabetically arranged beginning on 

 page '^6. * 



8. The varieties thought to possess special merit for the 

 North, named in so far as possible in order of merit, are : 

 Cole's Early, Boss, Black Eyed Susanf, Peerless-f, Kleckley 

 Sweett, Black Boulder, Black Spanish, Phinney's Early|, 

 Frontenac, Hungarian Hone\ . 



9. The Mills' Early, Harris' Earliest, and Paul's Bonny 

 Best seem to be identical with Cole's Early excepting for 

 average size ; these run somewhat smaller. They are 

 equally as early, productive, and desirable. The Stokes' 

 Early may also be associated here, although it has more indi- 

 viduality. 



10. A melon weighing between twelve and twenty-five 

 pounds and containing black seeds is generally preferred. 



t White-seeded varieties. 



