CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 371 



this is accomplished there will be little if any check in 

 growth. If the plants are watered freely 5 to 10 hours 

 before transplanting, the soil will hold together better 

 during the transfer. The corners of berry baskets and 

 dirt bands or cubes should be cut out with sharp knives 

 at the hills in the field. In removing the plants from 

 pots, one hand should be placed over the pot with the 

 stems of the plants between the fingers, and the pot then 

 inverted and tapped gently to separate soil and roots 

 from the sides of the pot. When planting in the field 

 the soil is simply drawn to the balls, cubes or blocks of 

 earth, downward pressure being avoided because this 

 would disturb the roots. 



Muskmelons are planted in both hills and drills. The 

 hill system makes it possible to cultivate more thor- 

 oughly and is the more popular in many of the largest 

 producing sections. Drilling, however, is favored by 

 many of the best growers, and doubtless provides the 

 most perfect conditions to each individual plant, because 

 they are not competing with each other in the struggle 

 for food, moisture and sunshine. 



When in hills, the spacing distance is commonly 6x6 

 feet, while some prefer 5x7, others 4x6, 4^ x 6^2 or 

 5x7 feet. When in drills the plants may be from I to 2 

 feet apart. The space between rows is seldom less than 

 6 feet. Manure and fertilizers are often mixed in hills 

 or furrows before planting, while some growers always 

 apply broadcast. The depth of covering varies from I 

 to 2 inches, depending upon the character of the soil. It 

 is best to use plenty of seed, 10 to 15 to the hill, in order 

 to be certain of a good stand. From I to 3 pounds of 

 seed are required to the acre. Some growers make two 

 or three plantings in the hill or the furrow at intervals 

 of a few days, to insure a good stand. Frost may injure 

 or destroy the first lot, but the later plantings will 

 escape. 



