MUSKMELONS 295 



As a forcing crop. While muskmelon raising in the United States 

 is characteristically an outdoor industry, there is an opportunity for 

 the development of an important branch of the industry based on 

 the very refined product of the forcing house. Such melons would 

 find a ready sale even in cities which have a limited number of 

 purchasers of high-grade products. The cultivation of this type of 

 melon, either in forcing houses or in frames, is essentially the same 

 as that of cucumbers. The most economical way of producing it 

 seems to be as a catch crop in lettuce houses after the lettuce 

 season has closed, in place of the usual cucumber crop. 



The production of special varieties of melons in frames has grown 

 to be an important and profitable industry in the neighborhood of 

 certain Canadian cities, especially Montreal, from which city the 

 industry as well as the melon grown has taken its name. 



As a field crop. As a field crop the muskmelon is handled prac- 

 tically the same as the watermelon. The soil should be of the same 

 general character, although the muskmelon will thrive well upon a 

 more retentive soil than that suited to the watermelon. One com- 

 posed chiefly of sand or sandy loam is most suitable. The best 

 results are obtained in those localities where new soils from which 

 the forests have recently been cleared can be used, but this is seldom 

 possible, and such soils should be considered only as a possibility in 

 the cultivation of the plant. 



Preparation of the soil. The preparation of the soil should be 

 thorough and complete. The work should be done early in the 

 season so that several surface cultivations can be given with the 

 harrow and other soil-stirring implements before seed-planting time 

 arrives. Because of the more restricted growth of the muskmelon, 

 it can be planted closer than the watermelon or the squash. A good 

 distance is that given for planting cucumbers 6 feet apart each 

 way. The hills should be prepared in the same manner as for 

 watermelons and squashes and, whenever possible, should be un- 

 derlaid with a layer of well-rotted stable manure which is covered 

 to the depth of 3 or 4 inches with soil. The seed should be placed 

 i inch or i^- inches deep, with the surface of the hills on a level 

 with 4 the surrounding areas. With all cucurbits watermelon, 

 muskmelon, or cucumber seed planting ought to be deferred 

 until the soil is warm and all danger of frost is past. These young 



