748 
The Common Tools Used in 
Cantaloup Culture. 
Plate No. 7. 
possible away from the furrows; this will 
keep many of the cantaloupes out of the 
ditch, though the vines will eventually 
nearly cover the ground. 
A two-horse ten-toothed riding corn 
cultivator makes a splendid tool for large 
acreage. 
General Care of the Crop 
If there is a secret in getting early 
cantaloupes, it is in growing them from 
start to finish in such a way that the 
growth is not checked at any time. The 
cantaloup does not seem to have the 
power to rally from a check in growth 
or an injury of any kind; the setback 
not only hinders the production of early 
fruits, but seriously affects the size and 
yield of the cantaloupes. There are nu- 
merous instances where unfavorable con- 
ditions of some kind have checked the 
growth in some part of a field that was 
planted and otherwise handled the same; 
invariably that portion of the field will 
show marked difference in size, netting 
or other qualities. The best promise of 
a good crop is a prompt and steady 
growth from germination to maturity. 
The seedling period is the critical time 
in the development of a crop of canta- 
loupes, for it is at this stage that the 
check in growth usually occurs from 
cold weather, high winds, lack of mois- 
ture or the attacks of insects. 
A knowledge of the manner of growth 
of the root system and development of 
the seedling, will in a measure explain 
the reasons for the steps taken and the 
precautions that are necessary at this 
time in handling the crop through this 
important period. 
The root system that first develops 
when the seed germinates, penetrates al- 
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
most directly down from the seed while 
the stem or radical is pushing its way 
to the surface. These little roots seem 
to form a temporary support for the 
plant during the first two or three weeks, 
for up to this time the stem from the 
seed point to the top of the ground is 
smooth and white, with no evidence of 
the lateral roots. 
The second root system develops from 
the stem about the time the fifth leaf ap- 
pears, or four to five weeks after germina- 
tion; these roots seem to form the main 
feeders of the plant, for the growth of 
the plant is almost insignificant until it 
feels the impulse of this larger and bet- 
ter root system. The question of good 
early growth and maturity almost hinges 
on the success of the farmer in supply- 
ing the conditions that will favor the 
early and proper development of this lat- 
eral, or main root system. It seems evi- 
dent that the depth of planting and the 
manner of managing the soil in the hill 
has an important relation to the early 
development of these lateral roots. Ex- 
perience teaches that seeds planted much 
over two inches in depth are slow and dif- 
ficult to germinate, being weakened by 
the long stem that is necessary to reach 
the surface; and, on the other hand, if 
planting is too shallow, the seeds are apt 
to dry out, or if rain follows a crust will 
form, which must be removed, and that 
often exposes the seeds that are not 
planted at a sufficient depth, with fatal 
results, or leaves the plant with too shal- 
low a stem support; it is then whipped 
and wrung by the high, drying winds or 
exposed to the attacks of the cucumber 
beetle. 
Seed will germinate ‘readily when 
weather conditions are favorable, if plant- 
ed at about the depth of one and one- 
half inches. 
When the seed leaves are nearly to the 
surface the hills should be raked off, re- 
moving any crust or dry lumps which 
may obstruct the little melon plant. 
Plenty of seed should be used to provide 
against a loss in handling the hills, or 
from the attacks of insects. It also af- 
fords a chance to select the thriftiest in- 
