378 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



now. It is simply spread over a greater area and the 

 plants require even closer care than before, for greater 

 attention must be paid to watering, syringing, and ven- 

 tilation, success at this stage being very largely depend- 

 ent thereon. 



As the fruit attains size, it is usually lifted from the 

 soil by a shingle or a flat stone, to avoid loss from 

 cracking, rot, etc. Uniform shape, color, netting and 

 ripening are secured by turning the fruit every few days. 

 When the runners fairly occupy the inclosed area the 

 frames are raised a few inches. As the season advances 

 more and more air is admitted until, finally, when the 

 melons are almost full grown, the sash and then the 

 frames themselves are removed. 



As each fruit sets, its shoot is pinched oflf one or two 

 joints beyond it. A 15 to 20-melon crop is considered 

 sufHcient from each 6 to 12-frame. Three or four hills 

 are planted and usually two plants are set in a hill. 



The melons vary greatly in size. One weighing 44 

 pounds has been grown. Their average weight ranges 

 from 8 to 15 pounds, and a dozen average 120 to 130 

 pounds. In exceptional cases some have been shipped 

 weighing 240 pounds a dozen-package. The larger 

 melons are apt to be poorer in quality than those weigh- 

 ing 8 to 15 pounds. 



Two distinct types exist, a roundish oblate and an ob- 

 long, the first slightly deeper ribbed than the latter. 

 These do not seem to be separated by the growers. It 

 is not at all certain that either type is fixed. 



A large wicker basket (clothes basket) is commonly 

 employed in shipping to distant markets. It holds a 

 dozen melons, packed in short, fine-stemmed hay, and is 

 shipped without cover, no attempt being made to fasten 

 the melons in place. The express company is held re- 

 sponsible for safe delivery. 



