6 
Bulletin 95. 
Plate 2 represents two cantaloupe seedlings, the one on the 
right revealing the plan of the first root system that develops 
when the seed germinates; it penetrates almost directly down from 
the seed while the stem is pushing its way to the surface. These 
roots seem to form a temporary support for the plant during the 
first two or three weeks, for up to that time the stem from the 
seed point up to the surface of the ground is smooth and white, 
with no evidence of the lateral roots which are shown on the stem 
of the seedling to the left. The second root system develops from 
the stem about the time the fifth leaf appears, or four or five weeks 
after germination; these roots seem to form the main feeders 
which develop the plant, for the growth of a hill of melons is 
practically insignificant until it feels the impulse of this larger and 
better root system* The question of early cantaloupes almost 
hinges on the success of the farmer in supplying conditions that 
will favor early development of the lateral root system. 
It seems evident 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. Experience teaches that 
seed planted much over two inches in depth are slow and difficult 
to germinate, being weakened by the long stem that is necessary 
to reach the surface, and on the other hand if planting is too shal¬ 
low, the seed are apt to dry out, or if rain follows a crust will form 
which must be removed, and that often exposes the seed with fatal 
results, or leaves the plant with too shallow a stem support. It is 
then whipped and wrung by the high, dry winds, or the long stem 
is exposed to the attacks of the cucumber beetle. 
Seed will germinate readily when weather conditions are fav¬ 
orable, if planted at about the depth indicated by the white por¬ 
tion of the stem of the seedling at the left in Plate 2 . When the 
seed leaves are nearly to the surface, if a garden rake is drawn 
through the hills with a lifting motion it will remove any crust or 
dry lumps which obstruct the little melon plants. 
Plenty of seed should be used to provide against loss in hand¬ 
ling the hills or from attacks by insects; it also affords a chance 
to select the thriftiest specimens when the thinning is made to 
two or three plants. Owing to the injuries from the striped cu¬ 
cumber beetle, this thinning should not be done until the plant 
gets several leaves and the lateral roots are developed; the extra 
plants in the hill should be destroyed by pinching or cutting the 
stem, as pulling is apt to disturb the remaining plants. 
The best known precautions against the cucumber beetle con¬ 
sists in the application of lime, ashes or road dust, and the con¬ 
tinual working of the field with hoe or cultivator. 
Hoeing .—Hoeing the hills is of great importance, but it 
should be done with skill both as to the time and the way it is 
