242 THE VINE CROPS 



pumpkin pies. Almost any variety of pumpkin may be used for 

 making pies, but some sorts are especially adapted to this purpose 

 (Fig. 147). They are finer grained and sweeter than the other 

 sorts. They may be stored for the winter supply of pies, or the 

 flesh may be canned for the making of pies at any time of the year. 

 Field pumpkins are often grown as an incidental crop in corn 

 fields. They are like the summer squash in being able to endure 

 the shade and also the competition against the corn. However, 

 pumpkins are much more Ukely to produce large crops if they are 

 relieved of such competition and given a piece of land to them- 

 selves. In this case they are planted and cared for much the same 

 as winter squashes. However, on rich land it is not necessary 

 to apply manure in the hills unless extra large specimens are 

 desired. 



QUESTIONS 



1. What plants belong to the group known as vine crops? 



2. What common characteristics have the vine crops? 



3. What insect enemy is common to all the vine crops? 



4. Discuss means of controlling the striped cucumber beetle. 



5. How does the melon aphis affect the melon crop? 



6. What different ways have been suggested for the control of the melon 



aphis, or louse? Which way is the most effective? 



7. What different types of muskmelons are recognized on the market? 



8. Describe an ideal site for growdng muskmelons, 



9. Discuss the fertilizing of muskmelons. 



10. When should muskmelons be planted. 



11. Describe the preparation of a field for planting melons, including the 



making of the hills. 



12. Describe the actual process of planting the melon seed. 



13. Describe the method of poisoning field mice to protect newly-planted 



melon seed. 



14. How many muskmelon vines should there be in a hill? How and when 



are the surplus vines removed? 



15. What are the advantages of transplanting muskmelons? 



16. Describe the method of growing melon plants for transplanting. 



17. At what age are melon plants transplanted? 



18. Describe the process of transplanting the melon plants from the hotbed 



to the field. 



19. Describe the tillage of a commercial plantation of muskmelons. 



20. How does excessive moisture affect muskmelons? 



21. Will muskmelons withstand extreme drought? 



22. What is the effect of melon "rust" on the quality of muskmelons? 



23. How may melon rust be controlled? 



24. WTiat sort of a spraying outfit can be used in a melon field? 



25. ^^^lat is meant by a "rust-resistant variety" of muskmelon? 



26. Under what conditions of soil and climate do watermelons thrive? 



27. Describe the preparation of land for the planting of watermelons. 



