Cantaloupes. 85 



CANTALOUPES. 



This has now become one of the most extensively grown 

 of the garden crops, and the demand for good stock is al- 

 most unlimited. This crop is now grown extensively in 

 the South, but it never brings such prices as the product 

 of the arid regions of the Southwest. A dry climate and 

 atmosphere is essential to the production of a first-class 

 cantaloupe. Excessive moisture at, or near the time of 

 maturing, destroys the flavor, and makes the melon in- 

 sipid. Still this crop usually pays well in the lower 

 South, as there is very little competition with the early 

 Southern product. 



Soil. 



An ordinary fertile soil will produce good cantaloupes, 

 but the ground should be high land. This crop should 

 never be grown where the root knot is present. The 

 Eocky Ford is the variety now planted almost exclusively 

 for' the market. It is not necessary to prepare the ground 

 so thoroughly for this crop. Break deep and harrow off, 

 and lay off rows six feet apart, check six feet. Scatter a 

 half-pound of fertilizer at each check, and mix well with 

 fork before planting. Plant four or five seeds in each 

 check, as eoon as danger of frost is over and ground is 

 warm. When the plants are up, thin to two in a hilL 

 Make a second application of fertilizer, broadcast, as soon 

 as the vines are a foot long. It will be found profitable 



