272 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENS 
Companion crop. Lettuce may be grown as a com- 
panion crop for early cabbage by alternating rows of 
lettuce and cabbage. Cabbage plants may also be set 
in the lettuce rows, taking the place of what has been 
used. 
Pests. Lettuce is sometimes attacked by white grubs. 
If the plants wilt down, dig for the grub; they may 
revive if the roots are not injured too severely. Dig for 
cutworms if plants are cut off. A dressing of nitrate of 
soda will be beneficial if the plants are attacked by either 
white grubs or cutworms. Sprinkle with water to carry 
the nitrate into the soil. Cabbage worms sometimes 
attack lettuce; they may be removed by hand picking. 
MELoNS 
Soil. Melons thrive best in a light, rich soil contain- 
ing considerable sand. Make the soil in the hill fine and 
mix with it a shovelful or two of well-rotted manure. 
Culture. Plant after all danger of frost is over. 
placing ten or twelve seeds in a hill. Make muskmelon 
hills five or six feet apart and watermelon hills eight or 
ten feet apart each way. Thin to three or four plants 
in a hill. 
Cold frame. A few seeds may be planted in inverted 
sod in a cold frame and transplanted for early use. (See 
directions under “ The Cucumber.”’) 
Culture. Keep a surface mulch until the vines shade 
the soil. 
