114 Truck Growing in the South. 



WATERMELONS. 



This is a crop especially adapted to sandy soils of tlie 

 South. It is grown extensively for shipments to both 

 Northern and Southern markets. As is the case with po- 

 tatoes, the question of variety is one to be considered in 

 marketing the crops, as the South prefers a long slender 

 melon, while the North prefer the large round variety. 

 However, there are so many improved varieties now being 

 introduced that it would hardly be safe to say what va- 

 rieties would be preferred. Rattlesnake, Florida Favor- 

 ite and Kleckley's Sweet are varieties which are popular 

 in the South. Many of these, however, have not good 

 shipping qualities, and do not carry well for a great dis- 

 tance. They may be safely loaded, about one-half car of 

 these being placed on top of other varieties which bear 

 shipping better. For the Northern markets, the I^olb 

 Gem, Duke Jones, and some others are popular varieties. 



Seed. 



By all means nothing but Southern grown seed should 

 be used. There are reliable seed growers in the South, 

 who grow seed on a large scale, and melon growers should 

 get in touch with them. 



Planting. 



For the latitude at the lower portion of Gulf States, 

 February' 1st to the 15th, is the proper time to plant. For 

 lower Florida, planting may be done as early as January 



