168 MELONS. 



with profits ranging from fifty to one liundred dollars 

 an acre. 



In cultivating Melons, either in the kitchen-gar- 

 den or for market, earliness in maturing is desirable, 

 and any practicable means that may be available to 

 hurry forward the ripening of the fruit, is worthy of 

 attention. The vines while young, are in danger of 

 being destroyed by the well-kno^vn striped hug. 

 The best plan is to start the seeds in a moderate hot- 

 bed, at the same date and treat them in the same 

 way as directed for Cucumbers. When transplanted 

 in place, if attacked by the bugs, apply the same 

 remedies. 



The Melon will thrive best on a deep, sandy loam, 

 thoroughly worked. Before making the hills, the 

 ground should be worked over twice, if in the field, 

 with the plow, if in the garden, with the digging-fork. 



The piece of ground should then be marked out, 

 five feet apart each way. A hole is made at each 

 intersection, with a spade, a forkful of well-rotted 

 manure is throAvn into each hole, and a hill made 

 over this manure of the fine surface soil. The hill 

 shoiild be two inches higher than the surrounding 

 surface and twelve or fifteen inches in diameter. A 

 dozen seeds are then planted in a circle on each hill, 

 and covered about a quarter of an incli. When the 

 plants have formed two rough leaves, thin out, leav- 

 ing only three plants to a hill. When these begin to 

 run, pinch them back twice, to the third joint. 



When the plants are started in a hot-bed, they 

 should be lifted and set out in the same way as Cu 

 cumbers. 



