
SRT amc a ene Nar ee 1 ALO ak ANN A De 
GROWING CANTALOUPES - 
Plant 2 Ibs. per acre in drills or 1 Ib. if hand planted in 
hills 1 oz. to 100 hills 
% The land should be a sandy loam, avoiding both too sandy and too 
heavy soil. If possible, do not plant where cantaloupes were grown 
previously within: three or four years. A heavy oat stubble plowed 
under is one of the first locations, Bean land is usually very good. The 
first year after alfalfa or clover is not good as a rule because the 
melons grow too soft and are irregular in size, shape, netting and qual- 
ity. The second year after alfalfa or clover is usually very good. Fall 
plowing is best, followed in the spring with several discings, 
+ 
If planted in hills the rows should be 5 to 6 feet apart each way. 
Cross cultivating improves the yield, quality and earliness. Plant ten 
to twelve seeds to the hill about 2 inches deep and thin to one or two 
plants when they have 5 or 6 leaves. If drilled in rows 5 to 6 feet 
apart thin to one plant every 3 or 4 feet. Hoe carefully around the 
plants; keep free from weeds and cultivate often. We have found 8 or 
10 cultivations at least should be given and more would be better, 
After the vines reach so far across the row that you can no longer 
cultivate, the ends of the vines should be carefully turned back and an 
additional cultivation given. We use small 4 wheeled tractors with bean 
harvester knives and vine turners for laying by. Cultivate shallow close 
to the plants and deeper farther away. 
The main spread of roots is on the harder ground under the plowed 
ground. For this reason plowing should be 8 to 10 inches deep and 
cultivation by knives or sweeps rather than shovels. 
If under irrigation, cantaloupes should be watered regularly about 
every two weeks. Early in the season furrows should be close to the 
plants and water should be allowed to run just long enough to moisten 
the soil beyond the plant row. Later furrows may be farther away from 
the plants. Do not allow the water to remain in the furrows too long 
so that the soil becomes water-logged. Continue irrigating through the 
ripening season to keep the vines thrifty. 
D. D. T. CAUTION. Do not dust or spray using D. D. T. on beans, 
cucumbers, cantaloupes, or watermelons. Use the new Marlate Insecti- 
cide, listed page 87. 
Marlate 5% dust is recommended for control of cucumber beetle and 
melon worms. Aphicide No. 10 kills melon aphis. 
Our business has been closely associated with the cantaloupe industry. 
Since the first green fleshed Rocky Fords were shipped from our home 
town, our catalog has carried the continued story of the improvement in 
varieties of shipping cantaloupes, 
We are determined that our cantaloupe seed be of the best obtainable. 
MARKET ONLY GOOD MELONS 
With all cantaloupes the customer develops an appetite and buys 
regularly if the melons are always good, but poor melons destroy the 
desire for melons and those who would be good buyers, turn to peaches 
and other fruit instead. 
Don’t pick cantaloupes green. 
Don’t pick cantaloupes from rusted vines. 
Don’t pick cantaloupes from aphis covered vines. 
Don’t pick cantaloupes from vines diseased with mildew. 
Don’t pack melons you would not buy to eat yourself if you were the 
customer, 
Don’t buy cheap seed. You cannot afford to risk your season’s work 
and the use of: your land and chance a poor return which may be the 
result of using poor seed. 
“Plant seeds of known origin.” 
We grow the cantaloupe seed we sell. 
D. V. Burrell Seed Growers Co., Rocky Ford, Colo. 



