CULTURAL METHODS 45 



their place. As soon as the vines meet, I cut off the 

 ends. I keep the sweeps running, bearing away 

 from the row a little each time. The side vines will 

 soon confine the plowing to once in the row. In 

 this way, I am enabled to plow watermelons when 

 they are getting ripe. 



" You will observe that I am not interfering with 

 the feeders, as they are running through the ground 

 as fast as the vine is spreading above it, but I am 

 furnishing a dust mulch to retain moisture, which 

 is usually very essential at this time of the year. 

 I also avoid the expensive labor of laying the vines 

 for the last plowing, which most growers do, which 

 usually causes all of the little melons to fall off and 

 checks the growth of the vines for a few days and, 

 if it is dry, will permanently injure them. If the 

 beans are ripe, they may be gathered, as they have 

 served their purpose." 



By this method of cultivation, this man has raised 

 four carloads of Monte Cristo watermelons from 

 six acres, besides saving 500 pounds of seed. 



