Squashes, Melons and Others 283 



off the first fruit if it sets much in advance of the main 

 crop. 



Although the land should be rich, the fertility should be 

 available early in the season rather than late, else the 

 growth may be delayed too long. Lands very rich in nitro- 

 genous materials may cause the plants to grow to vine 

 at the expense of fruit. If there seems to be a tendency 

 to go to vine, it is good practice to pinch off the ends of 

 the leading shoots. Usually, however, this practice is not 

 necessary unless the season is very short. 



All cucurbits are grown in hills. Each hill ma}^ 

 be specially prepared, at least in the Northern States and 

 on land that is rather hard and coarse. A space one or 

 two feet across is spaded up loosely, and light loose earth 

 and scrapings from the barnyard are mixed with it. A 

 handful of fertilizer should be scattered in the soil. If the 

 land is hard and late, it is well to remove the soil and to 

 fill the space with fine earth and manure. In the warm 

 and light melon lands of the South, where the seasons are 

 longer, this precaution may not be necessary; nor is it 

 practiced in the usual field culture of the crops. 



Squashes, watermelons and cucumbers are usually 

 planted in the field, although if early results are wanted 

 and if the region is cold and the season short, it is well 

 to start them in frames. Muskmelons are usually started 

 in frames. It is advisable to plant the seeds on in- 

 verted sods, in small boxes or other receptacles; or in 

 regular flower-pots, which are best. (See page 357.) It is 

 imperative that the plants be stocky and firm when taken 

 to the field, although they must not be stunted. If they 

 liave been grown too warm and are " soft,'^ they will be in- 



