Garden Crops Grown for Their Fruits 269 



Seed catalogues list many varieties of muskmelons. 

 The beginner should perhaps choose first the sorts that 

 are most successfully grown in the locality. The Rocky 

 Ford or Netted Gem, Emerald Gem, and Defender (also 

 called BurreVs Gem) are excellent sorts for general culture. 

 Extra Early Hackensack and Osage are two other varie- 

 ties that are extensively grown. 



OKRA 



This plant grows splendidly throughout the southern 

 and the middle states. Dwarf varieties can be grown 

 with some success farther north, especially if seedlings 

 are started under glass; and in some sections of the 

 North the crop grows well if planted on rich soil in a 

 sunny location. 



The crop thrives on any good garden soil, but does 

 best on a rich, well-drained soil. The seed is slow in 

 germinating, but the process can be hastened and made 

 more certain by soaking the seed in water. Because 

 of the cold soil, the seed of early plantings often fails to 

 germinate. 



The seed is sown in rows rather thickly, to allow for 

 poor germination. The plants that grow should be 

 thinned to stand 15 to 18 inches apart in the row. The 

 young tender pods are harvested when one-half or two- 

 thirds grown, and used in soups, as well as for making 

 the famous Southern " Creole gumbo." 



The Dwarf Prolific is an early variety that can be 

 recommended. Other excellent sorts, such as White 

 Velvet and Long Green, are very satisfactory. 



