224 THE VINE CROPS 



solution. Sometimes a small quantity of sugar is added. After 

 the strychnine crystals are completely dissolved, a quantity of 

 melon seed is placed in the solution and allowed to soak for twenty- 

 four hours. The seed is then removed from the solution and scat- 

 tered about the field where the mice can readily find it. Usually 

 ten or fifteen seeds at a time are dipped from the mass by means 

 of an old teaspoon, and dropped close to a melon hill. These little 

 piles of poisoned seed are placed at intervals of three or four hills 

 in a row entirely around the portion of the melon field planted 

 that day, and also in several rows extending length^vise and cross- 

 wise of the area. If replanting becomes necessary from any cause, 

 a fresh lot of poisoned seed is applied. 



The solution of strychnine from which the seed has been 

 removed can be used for soaking additional lots of seed until it 

 all has been absorbed. If the last lot of seed to be used does not 

 take up all the solution, corn meal is added and the mass of corn 

 meal, melon seed and strychnine applied, so that no unused poison 

 is left about the premises. 



Instead of the melon seed soaked in strychnine, a mixture of 

 corn meal and Paris green is sometimes used. This is prepared 

 by mixing an ounce of Paris green in a quart of water and stirring 

 in enough corn meal to form a thick mash. 



When there is danger of birds or poultry getting the poison, 

 the poisoned seed or meal is placed on shingles, bits of board or 

 chips, at nightfall, and removed in the early morning. This is 

 repeated until the planted seeds germinate. 



Thinning the Plants. — While ten to fifteen muskmelon seeds 

 are planted per hill for the sake of insuring a full stand, only two, 

 or at most three, plants are left to make the crop. Thinning is 

 usually deferred until the plants have become fully established, 

 and the struggle against the striped beetle is nearly over. However, 

 the plants must be thinned before they begin to crowd badly, or 

 those which are to remain will be stunted in growth. Usually 

 the thinning is completed by the time the plants have four rough 

 leaves. If the seed has been Avell scattered in planting, so that 

 each plant stands apart by itself, the superfluous plants may be 

 pulled with the fingers, but extreme care must be taken to avoid 

 disturbing the roots of the remaining plants. Sometimes the plants 

 are cut off with a knife or shears instead of being pulled, and thus 

 all danger of disturbing the roots is avoided. 



If the seeds have been sown with a drill as in market garden 



