WHAT TO DO MONTH BY MONTH 



quick downward pressure on the side of the 

 watermelon with both hands the melon is ripe. 

 Do not break the skin. Keep the melon in a 

 cool place for two or three days and the flavor 

 is improved. 



Pests. If the aphis (green fly) puts in its 

 appearance on any of the tender growths, such 

 as lettuce, dust the foliage with tobacco dust. 

 The cabbage worm may start in early on the 

 winter crop. Sprinkle a little white hellebore, 

 one ounce to a gallon of water, or a little pow- 

 dered arsenate of lead on the cabbage plants. 

 If the foliage of the asparagus is disappearing 

 and you find short furrows eaten out of the 

 tender growths, dust the plants, when the dew 

 is heavy, with powdered arsenate of lead. 

 The asparagus beetle is not hard to control if 

 checked in time. Cabbage aphides are con- 

 trolled by tobacco dust or a tobacco solution. 

 These insects are usually found on the leaves 

 close to the ground and on the vmder side. 



Cultivation. Keep the hand cultivator busy 

 this month. Some of the best crops are pro- 



359 



