360 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



may be. hastened everywhere in this way. When the 

 ground is warm, the balls are taken from the pots, and 

 set where they are to remain, protecting them with sun- 

 shades a little at lirst, or with hand-glasses, if cold. Have 

 about three plants to each pot. In the open ground, plant 

 in hills six feet apart, and ten seeds to a hill, an inch 

 deep. Thin to three, and finally two, in a hill. Make the 

 hills as for cucumbers. Superphosphate of lime has an 

 almost magical effect in improving the size and hastening 

 the maturity of the melon. The insects are the same as 

 attack the cucumber, and a little guano sprinkled around 

 the hill, not too near the plants, and intermingled with 

 the surface soil, will by its pungent smell drive off the 

 bug and flea, and also prove a very valuable fertilizer 

 of the plants. Watering with guano water for the same 

 purpose is very beneficial. Until the vines touch, keep 

 the ground about them fresh dug, mellow, and free from 

 weeds. When the vines begin to run, and show the first 

 blossom they must be stopped by pinching off the extreme 

 bud, as in the cucumber. This will render them earlier 

 and more prolific in large fruit. Their whole culture is 

 like that of the cucumber, and they may be forced in the 

 same manner. In sections where the melon worm de- 

 stroys the later grown fruits, get them into bearing as 

 early as may be. 



To Save Seed. — Select of each variety some of the 

 earliest and best melons; wash the seed from the pulp, 

 dry them in the shade, and put away in paper bags. They 

 will keep ten years. Old seed is more prolific in fruit 

 than new. Be sure to plant the oldest seed to be had, if 

 it appears well preserved. 



Use. — The melon as a palatable and luscious fruit, very 

 cooling in hot weather, maintains a high rank. It is 

 usually eaten with salt alone, though many like the addi- 



