Tke Watermelon 



297 



gus developing on vines killed by other diseases will spread 

 to the melons. The stems should be disiutected at the time 

 of loading by painting them with a starch paste containing 

 copper sulfate. To prepare the paste, eight ounces of copper 

 sulfate are dissolved in three and one-half quarts of hot water 

 and to this boiling solution are added four ounces of starch 

 mixed with a pint of cold water. 



Melon aphis (Aphis gossypii). — See under Cucumber. 

 Spray with " Black Leaf 40 " tobacco extract, % pint in 100 

 gals, water in which 4 or 5 lbs. soap have been added. Be 

 careful to hit the underside of the leaves. When the first 

 hills are infested, fumigate with tobacco papers under frames 

 covered with oilcloth. 



The watermelon is more popular in ISTorth America, 

 probably, than elsewhere in the world. In fact, it is a 

 feature of American living. The South Atlantic and 

 Gulf States have occupied first place for size and quality 

 of melons. More recently, the mid-continental States are 

 coming to the front. The watermelon is a leading field 

 crop in Georgia and elsewhere, great areas being devoted 

 to it. The plant is little grown in market-gardens, for it 

 requires too much space and the 

 returns are not sufficient. It is 

 primarily a truck crop or farm 

 crop, on relatively low-priced 

 land. 



The reader will recognize the 

 watermelon in Figs. 175 to 179. 

 The outward distinctions between pistillate and staminate 

 flowers are shown in Figs. 177 and 178, the presence or 

 absence of the ovary (young fruit) being conspicuous. 



The first requisite in watermelon culture is a location 



175. Watermelon seeds CX W). 



