ECONOMIC PLANTS 261 



transplanted to another box as soon as the first true 

 leaves appear, set out in 2-inch squares. When they 

 begin to seem crowded, they should be again trans- 

 planted in 4-inch squares and kept growing until near 

 the last of May, when they may be placed in the garden 

 20 inches apart in rows about 18 inches apart. All 

 side branches should be pruned as the plant grows and 

 the main stem tied to a stout support about 5 feet 

 high, as the plant will probably reach nearly this height. 

 In Michigan the tomatoes have shown a yield as high 

 as 1 200 bushels an acre. Tomato growing as an in- 

 dustry has attained greater proportions in Maryland 

 than in any other state in the Union. 



Melons. Both the muskmelon and the watermelon, 

 while natives of southern Asia and Africa, thrive fairly 

 well in northern latitudes, although not reaching the 

 full luxuriance and rich flavor of the southern-grown 

 product. The wire -grass region of Georgia is said to 

 produce the best quality and largest crop of water- 

 melons, while no section has succeeded in surpassing 

 the famous Rocky Ford muskmelons of Colorado, 

 although this variety is grown extensively in other parts 

 of the United States. The three best known varieties 

 are cantaloupe, nutmeg, and pineapple. The Rocky 

 Ford melon is a nutmeg. 



The muskmelon needs a deep, warm, sandy loam 

 well supplied with humus. The seeds are planted in 

 rows 6 feet apart and I inch deep in hills 3 feet 

 apart. In Colorado irrigation is necessary. The most 

 water is required about the time the blossoms begin to 

 set well. When the plants have four leaves, they are 

 thinned to three plants in a hill. 



The south annually ships millions of watermelons to 



