MELON—WATERMELON.
The cultivation of the watermelon is practically the same as for the muskmelon, except that the plants grow larger and require more room for development than those of the muskmelon. Watermelons require that the soil should contain a larger percentage of sand than muskmelons, and that the land should be quite rich. Watermelons should be planted 10 feet each way between the hills, or in drills 10 feet apart and thinned to 3 feet apart in the drills. The watermelon seedlings must be protected from the cucumber beetle until the foliage becomes toughened. Watermelons readily group themselves into six classes based upon the color or characteristics of the skin or external appearance. It does not necessarily follow that in the proposed classification the fruit of each variety will all be of the same form to which it is referred; for, as every melon grower knows, the fruits in each hill vary more or less; but if everything is normal and favorable for their development the characteristic form or that typifying the variety will predominate. The larger the experience of the grower, the easier it is for him to understand these various types. In order to get the true type of each variety, it is important that the seeds be secured directly from the seedsman who first introduced them thus avoiding complications or errors.—(F. B. 255; N. H. E. S. 86; Ind. E. S. 123; N. Mex. E. S. 63; S. Dak. E. S. 67.)
| { | |
| Sweet Heart Type | |
| (oval shape) | |
| I. Light Green | —— —— |
| Class | (medium shape) |
| Monarch Type, | |
| (Long shape) | |
| { | |
| Icing Type, | |
| (oval shape) | |
| II. Medium Green | —— —— |
| Class | (medium shape) |
| Jackson Type, | |
| (long shape) | |
| { | |
| Black Spanish Type | |
| (oval shape) | |
| III. Dark Green | —— —— |
| Class | (medium shape) |
| Boss Type, | |
| (long shape) | |
| { | |
| Kolb's Gem Type, | |
| (oval shape) | |
| IV. Light Striped | Cuban Queen Type, |
| Class | (medium shape) |
| Rattlesnake Type, | |
| (long shape) | |
| { | |
| Pride of Georgia Type, | |
| (oval shape) | |
| V. Dull Striped | Christmas Type, |
| Class | (medium shape) |
| Favorite Type, | |
| (long shape) | |
| { | |
| Nabob Type, | |
| VI. Mottled Green | (oval shape) |
| Class | Phinney Type, |
| (medium long shape) |
MUSTARD.
Almost any good soil will produce a crop of mustard. The basal leaves of mustard are used for greens, and as the plants require but a short time to reach the proper stage for use frequent sowings should be made. Sow the seeds thickly in drills as early as possible in the spring, or for late use sow the seeds in September or October. The forms of white mustard, of which the leaves are often curled and frilled, are generally used. Mustard greens are cooked like spinach.—(F. B. 255; Mich. E. S. 20; La. E. S. 90.)
NASTURTIUM.
The hardiness and unsurpassed beauty of this plant should make it a favorite near every home. The seed pods just before beginning to ripen make a delicious flavoring for pickles.—(Mich. E. S. 20; S. Dak. E. S. 68.)