42 



MELON CULTURE 



lowing table shows the number of plants required 

 to plant an acre at different distances apart : 



Plants Required for an Acre 



When ready to be taken to the field, the plants 

 should be thoroughly watered, so that they can be 

 handled without disturbing the soil about the roots. 

 In the large melon districts, large flat-topped wagons 

 are provided for hauling the plants to the field. 

 (See Fig. 9.) The boxes are set off at the intersec- 

 tions, and a gang of boys take them and, with a 

 stout pocket knife, slit the corners so that the box 

 easily drops off, leaving the soil and plants intact. 

 They are then placed in the hills and a second gang 

 of men follows up and draws the soil up around the 

 cube of earth which holds the plants. Some do 

 this work with hoes, while others go on their knees 

 and simply use their hands, as the sand is very 

 easily handled. By this method the roots are not 

 disturbed and the plants continue to grow without 

 any check. 



