Vegetable Gardening 131 



hot weather, it should have shade to keep it crisp. Let- Methods of 



tuce is often sown broadcast, but it is better to start p a 



the plants in a nursery. In the garden they should be 



set about a foot apart each way. The varieties that 



form close heads are much superior to those that develop 



loose leaves, but the head varieties are more difficult 



to raise. 



The vine crops. Melons, squashes, pumpkins, and 

 cucumbers resemble each other very much in manner 

 of growth and in the kind of care they require. Most 

 of the rules for successfully growing one of them will 

 apply to the others. 



Since the vines are warm-climate plants, it is neces- The season 

 sary to delay planting in the spring until the soil is well 

 warmed ; otherwise the seed will rot. Plenty of fertilizer 

 is needed to secure a good vine crop. A shovelful of 

 manure buried where each hill is to be planted gives 

 the vine a quick start. The manure is covered with Planting 

 dirt and well packed, so that moisture will rise through 



it. The seeds are then planted over the manure. The 

 depth of planting varies with the size of the seed. Cu- 

 cumbers and muskmelons should have only half an inch 

 of moist earth over them. The larger seeds, as of squashes 

 and pumpkins, may safely be put a little deeper. 



The distance that the hills should be apart depends Space 

 somewhat on the richness of the soil. In heavily fer- 

 tilized land the vines run more and so should be planted 

 farther apart than in poor soil. Muskmelons, cucum- 

 bers, and summer squashes are planted from four to 

 five feet apart each way. Watermelons, pumpkins, and 

 winter squashes require double this distance. 



