300 GARDEN FARMING 



the center of the famous Montreal melon industry. The melons 

 are very large, averaging 10 inches in diameter and from 12 to 

 30 pounds in weight, sometimes reaching 40 pounds. They are 

 marketed in large willow hampers cushioned with straw, as shown 

 in figure 112. 



The crop is started early in May in hotbeds, and as soon as the 

 season has advanced sufficiently to be frost free and the nights are 

 not too cool, the sash and frames are removed to give the plants 

 freedom. This is accomplished in a unique manner. As soon as 

 the frames are well occupied by the plants, props are placed under 

 the corners of the frames to lift them 4 or 6 inches from the ground. 

 This admits air, and at the same time allows unrestricted develop- 

 ment of the plants, the frame and sash still serving as a protection 

 to the greater part of the plant. 



The present industry does not fill the demands of the markets, 

 and as a result this is one of the most profitable melon industries 

 carried on in the New World. 



Forcing muskmelons. As a forcing crop in America the musk- 

 melon has not yet attracted special attention, although it is grown 

 in a small way by nearly all owners of private estates where forcing 

 houses are maintained. The high-grade melons with rich aroma 

 and flavor and firm flesh, which have been developed for forcing 

 purposes in Europe, are not properly appreciated by American 

 consumers. This is probably due to lack of knowledge of these 

 superb fruits. As soon as people have once acquired a taste for 

 melons of this type, it will be only a matter of producing them in 

 sufficient quantities to meet the demand. 



Muskmelons lend themselves to the wants of the market gardener 

 in a satisfactory way, for they can be used as a substitute for the 

 cucumber crop, which is usually employed to fill out the forcing 

 season after lettuce has ceased to be profitable. Plants for forcing 

 should be started early in the season in practically the same manner 

 as cucumbers. A good way is to take 3-inch rose pots, with about 

 I inch of soil in the bottom, and place the seed of the muskmelon 

 in these, covering it with about a half inch of soil, which will half 

 fill the pots. As soon as the plants are well up and showing the 

 first true leaves, fill the pots with soil, leaving only sufficient room 

 for proper watering. After their first true leaves appear and the 



