92 



way I select a ripe melon is by the high color and a crack 

 around the stem. I do not pick them to ripen off the vines, as 

 they do not have so good a flavor. I watch them very closely, 

 as they want to be looked over twice a day, about 11 A. M. and 

 2 P. M., if the weather is very warm, if not, once a day will 

 do. After a shower they ripen very fast, and will crack open 

 if not attended to." 



In regard to raising large Turban Squashes he says : "Spread 

 six cords of stable manure to the acre and harrow it well with 

 the wheel harrow. Hills from eight to ten feet apart, five seed 

 in a hill. When hoed, thin out to three plants, keep them 

 well limed to protect them from bugs, never put it on until the 

 dew is off. In selecting my seed squashes I go all over the 

 piece and put stakes down to some of the earliest and nicest 

 looking ones, and leave them there until the squashes they 

 mark are quite ripe." 



We cannot help noticing in our report the lettuce of Martin 

 Nies of Swampscott. It looked so fresh, green and crisp that 

 one could hardly realize that Jack Frost had been around the 

 week before. 



Mr. Ives's display of seed, 198 varieties, attracted attention, 

 and what he says about seed growing is information to the 

 point. 



There were several exhibits we should like to specially men- 

 tion had we time and space. Information of value will be found 

 in all the replies we have received. Read them ! 



Respectfully submitted for the Committee, 



David W. Low, Chairman. 



Reply of John S. Ives, of Salem, who received a premium for 



OoUection of Seeds. 



GARDEN SEED CULTURE. 



One of the most important requirements to successful farm- 

 ing is by commencing the season with fresh seeds of reliable 

 quality, raised from choice stock and grown with the utmost 



