First, the stones help prevent birds from eating the watermelons. When birds land on the melons with stones on top, they will not be able to stand firmly to eat. Thus, the birds will be scared and fly away.
Second, farmers mark the ripe melons. Watermelons usually take up to a month to ripen after fruiting.
Third, people put stones on the watermelons to avoid sunlight.
Fourth, to let the watermelons grow evenly. When the watermelons grow to a certain size, their fruits will grow vertically. If the stones are heavy enough, the melons will grow more evenly.
Fifth, to improve the quality of the melons
When I was a child, I used to love visiting my grandma’s garden to play. One day, I went to her garden and noticed something strange – she had placed a stone on top of a watermelon. I was curious and asked her why she did that.
She explained to me that there are several reasons why farmers put stones on watermelons. Firstly, the stones help prevent birds from eating the watermelons. By placing a stone on top, birds are unable to land firmly on the fruit and are scared away. This ensures that the watermelons can ripen without being pecked at by hungry birds.
Secondly, farmers use stones to mark ripe melons. Watermelons typically take around a month to ripen after fruiting, and by placing a stone on top, they can easily identify which fruits are ready to be harvested.
Additionally, the stones also help protect the watermelons from excessive sunlight. By shading the fruit, the stones prevent sunburn and ensure that the melons develop properly.
Furthermore, placing stones on watermelons can help them grow more evenly. As the fruits grow, they tend to become lopsided due to their weight pulling them down. By placing a heavy stone on top, the melons are encouraged to grow vertically, resulting in a more uniform shape.
Overall, using stones on watermelons is a traditional farming technique that has been passed down through generations. It not only helps protect the fruits from birds and sun damage but also ensures that they grow evenly and develop high quality. So the next time you see a stone on a watermelon, you’ll know that there’s more to it than meets the eye.