WATERMELONS 



457 



is seldom spoken of as a watermelon, but because it is preserved 

 and sometimes used for the same purposes as the true citron of 

 commerce it is called a citron or citron melon. 



Soil. The soil for the watermelon is necessarily of a warm, 

 sandy nature, and the climate to which it is best adapted is warm 

 and inclined to be dry rather than moist. While the plant requires 

 considerable moisture, it thrives well in regions where the rainfall 

 is comparatively scanty. Warm, sandy, quick soils, a moderate 

 precipitation, and a high temperature during the growing season 



FIG. 174. Watermelon fruits and foliage 



are essential for the highest commercial success of this crop. Many 

 growers, especially through certain sections of Virginia, prefer the 

 sandy lands bordering streams, but the crop is successfully and 

 extensively grown in sections of northern Texas where there is 

 little rain. In fact, watermelons are successfully grown in the dry 

 regions of Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, where the annual 

 rainfall does not exceed 15 or 16 inches. 



Preparation of the soil. The soil should be plowed moderately 

 deep and well prepared. A crop of cowpeas, soy beans, or velvet 

 beans should be turned under as a preparation for the melon crop. 

 Such a practice improves the mechanical condition of the soil and 



