170 GARDEN GUIDE 



are not suitable for forcing. The Cos type, most varieties of 

 which have to be tied up to blanch thoroughly, is quite 

 distinct in appearance and flavor from the other types, but is easily 

 grown and should be given a place in most gardens, even hi small 

 gardens, for variety. It is suitable for use during Midsummer and 

 early- Fall. To be of the best quality, Lettuce must be quickly 

 grown. It requires an abundance of moisture and a high percentage 

 of available nitrogen in the fertilizer or manure. Well-rotted horse 

 manure is particularly adapted to the growing of this crop. A 

 mistake often made in sowing the seed in drills in the open is to let 

 the plants stand too thickly. Thin them out as soon as they are 

 well started to 6 or 8 in. in the row, or even more in rich soil under 

 irrigation. To have a succession of crops around the year start 

 plants in January or February for setting out into the frames, and 

 make a small sowing every two weeks or so thereafter, changing the 

 type you use according to the changing seasons. 

 MELONS. Muskmelons are similar in theu* cultural requirements to 

 Cucumbers. In northern locations where the seasons are short, 

 it is always a good plan to start at least part of the crop early in 

 paper pots in frames. As some gardeners also advocate the pinching 

 off of the ends of the runners after they have attained 4 or 5 ft. in 

 length, to hasten the development of the laterals on which the 

 fruits set, itmay be well to do this. For very small gardens the bush 

 type of Melon, recently developed, offers distinct advantages. The 

 hills may be planted as close as 4 ft. apart. Heavy soil should 

 be avoided, if possible. If it must be used, add plenty of sand, and 

 leaf mold to the soil in the hill when preparing it, and raise the hill 

 slightly; keep it flat but bring it a couple of inches above the ground 



level. 



WATERMELONS. The require- 

 ments of Watermelons are in gen- 

 eral the same as those of the other 

 curcubits already mentioned, ex- 

 cept that much more space is de- 

 manded by them. The hills are 

 put 6 to 8 ft. apart each way. In 

 a small garden space can some- 

 times be saved by putting Water- 

 melons (and Winter Squash and 

 Sugar Pumpkins) near the edge of 

 the garden where the vines can be 

 allowed to run out over the grass, 



Garden hoes of different patterns Or Supported on old Pea Brush or 



