34 
The Colorado Experiment Station. 
rows fifteen to eighteen inches apart. The seed are covered to a 
depth of three-fourths of an inch. When the plants are well up, 
they are thinned to stand four to six inches apart in the row. After 
they have attained edible size, they are bunched and sold the same 
as beets. 
For the late crop, the seed are sown in July or August, follow¬ 
ing the harvesting of some other crop. They may be planted broad¬ 
cast or in rows. When mature, the crop is harvested and the tops 
cut off. The turnips may then be sold or stored in pits' or cellars 
much as potatoes. 
Rutabagas are treated in the same manner as the late crop 
except they must be planted in May instead of July or August. 
WATERMELONS. 
Watermelons are much less widely cultivated in Colorado than 
the muskmelon, but with proper care they can be grown in most any 
part of the state. 
Soil .—Watermelons thrive best on a warm sandy soil, while 
the cool nights and short season of northern Colorado are not con¬ 
ducive to the best development of the crop. The abundance of sun¬ 
light during the summer offsets this to some extent. The soil 
should be thoroughly prepared and well fertilized with stable ma¬ 
nure. 
Planting .—The watermelon is a tender plant, so that planting 
must be delayed until danger from frost is past. The seed are 
planted in hills about eight feet apart each way and covered one 
inch deep. It is best to use a dozen or more seed to each hill in 
order to be sure of having a perfect stand. After the plants have 
become well established they should be thinned, leaving two or three 
to a hill. 
In the northern part of the state a better plan to follow is to 
sow the seed in pots, strawberry boxes, or on pieces of sod placed in 
the hotbed or greenhouse. By this method the seed may be planted 
in March or April and the plants removed to the field after cold 
weather is over. The plants can be moved without checking them 
at all, and the advantage gained by lengthening the growing period 
is considerable. Moreover the growing plants can be protected at 
the most critical stage from insects and other troubles when in the 
greenhouse or hotbed, much more easily than if they were scattered 
over a field. 
Cultivation .—The best culture possible should be given the 
crop early in the season so that the least amount possible will be 
required later when the vines begin to cover the ground. 
