100 Southern Gardener^ s Practical Maimal 



When the vines have run a foot or more, pinch the bud 

 from the main vine to encourage the multiplication and 

 growth of the lateral shoots on which the fruit is pro- 

 duced. The main vine produces principally male flow- 

 ers, while the female flowers are formed on the laterals. 

 There will still be enough male flowers to furnish pollen. 

 Pinching the main vine not only increases the number 

 of fruits, but stimulates early fruiting. Planting in hills, 

 as above described, is perhaps best on thin land or where 

 the melons are manured only in the hill, but, for the last 

 twenty years, I have succeeded better by the following 

 method: Broadcast thirty two- horse -loads of unfer- 

 mented horse manure to the acre in February, and plow 

 it into the soil. Every week or ten days until planting 

 time, replow, going as deep as the team can pull the plow. 

 After the first plowing, use a long bull-tongue to mix the 

 manure and increase the depth. At planting time, lay off 

 rows five feet apart and open them as deep as can be 

 done with the plow. In these furrows apply, at the rate of 

 a ton per acre, a standard complete fertilizer and mix with 

 the soil and subsoil by running a long, narrow bull- 

 tongue plow several times through the furrow. Turn 

 two furrows into the rows with turn -plow, and finish the 

 beds with long bull-tongues, continuing its use until the 

 furrows meet in the middles. Harrow the beds smooth — 

 for garden culture, rake them — using a seed-drill as 

 directed for cucumbers, strewing the seed continuously 

 in the center of each bed. A mixture of lime, salt and 

 wood ashes spread immediately over the seed row as 

 soon as planted will increase the vigor of the plants and, 

 to some extent, keep off insect enemies. Sow heavy 



