128 [ ASSEMBLY 
each other, and were neither less prolific nor less productive than others 
planted in hills, and were more easily cared for. 
Two of these drills were fertilized with sulphate of potash (potash 
salts) ; one at the rate of 12 pounds to 100 feet, and the other at the 
rate of 40 pounds for the same length. ‘'T‘he fertilizer seemed to retard 
somewhat the growth of the vines and the maturity of the fruit, but 
the melons produced were of very superior flavor. ‘The larger quantity 
of potash showed no more effects than the smaller. 
The Christiana melon, as grown the past season in the Station gar- 
den, possessed qualities that would lead us to recommend it highly as 
a garden variety. It is medium in size, roundish, with prominent ribs, 
the color deep green, thickly mottled with grayish white, the green 
ground becoming ashade lighter as the fruit ripens. The flesh is from 
an inch to an inch and a half thick, of a rich orange color, tender and 
melting quite to the rind, which is thin. The fruit invariably sepa- 
rates from the stem as soon as ripe. In earliness, hardiness and pro- 
lificacy it was not surpassed by any variety tested. 
The original Christiana originated with Capt. Josiah Lovett of 
Beverly, Mass., but the superiority of the fruit as grown at the Station 
is perhaps largely due to the quality of the seed, which was from a 
stock known to have been carefully selected for many years. 
SQUASH. 
Two plantings of squash were made, In one, May 24th, the varie- 
ties were isolated to prevent hybridization, and in the other, June 3d, 
intermingled for the purpose of noting the effect of hybridization. 
The hills, which received fifteen seeds each, were prepared by spading 
in a liberal quantity of well-rotted manure. 
The varieties, dates of planting, vegetation and blooming, yields, 
and number of hills planted were as follows ; 
