56 



IRISH GARDENING 



Melon Culture. 



B> W. I), Ki:sAM, Ciiita):;li (.'nange (iardciis, Co. 

 Kiklarc. 



STILL within the meiiioiy of some of our older 

 g-ardeners the melon was not held in the high 

 esteem whicli favours it to-day. It would startle 

 the present genei ation to hear of cooking melons and 

 serving them with vinegar, salt, sugar, &c., yet such 

 was the case in the olden times. To-day. however, the 

 results of the hybridization and selection are such that 

 the fruit has been brouglit to a high state of perfection, 

 and is one of the most delicious we grow without even 

 the aid of a pinch of salt or sugar. 



The best soil for melons is a good, strong Ijani in- 

 clining to the stiff side, yet not too stifi'; if the latter lie 

 the case a very small proportion of leaf-mould should he 

 incorporated with the loam ; the top spit from an old 

 pasture is very good for melons, but it should have 

 been stacked for at least six months previous to using. 

 When preparing the bed chop the soil, not too finely, 

 with a spade, adding while the work is in progress a 

 sprinkling of old mortar rubble. I do not advise any 

 other ingredients in the soil, for if it be too rich the 

 plants will romp away, making a lot of gross wood, 

 which is detrimental to obtaining a nice, even crop. 



The culture of the melon differs from tliat of the 

 cucumber, inasmuch as the former requires more sun 

 and air, a slightly higher temperature, and somewhat 

 drier conditions during a period of its growth, although 

 in most private establishments one house has to suffice 

 for both ; again, cucumbers may be grown throughout 

 the winter, while melons cannot, at least if they are ob- 

 tained they are not worth the trouble bestowed on them. 

 The first batch of seeds should be sown early in 

 January, making successioual sowings every three 

 weeks according to the space ami the requirements of 

 the establishment. Insert one seed into a 2.5 inch pot, 

 using a good, free soil with plenty of leaf-mould and 

 sand for seed-sowing ; if possible plunge the pots in a 

 propagating case with a bottom heat of 75 degrees, 

 with an atmospheric temperature of 70 degrees. When 

 the seedlings appear admit air cautiously, gradually 

 hardening till the plants can be removed from the case 

 and stood near the roof glass. When the first rough 

 leaf is developed, pot on into 5-inch pots, using a rougher 

 and heavier compost, which should haxe been pre- 

 viously warmed, as nothing is more against successful 

 cultivation than potting into cold soil. Return the 

 plants to the case again for a few days to recover from 

 their shift, then stand out near the roof glass again. 

 When they have made about three rough leaves they 

 are ready for their final shift, either into 12-inch pots or, 

 preferably, a ridge betl ; this should have been prepared 

 three or four days previous to planting, so that ilu- 

 soil may have become somewhat warmed. 



The bed should be formed over a good supply of hot 

 water piping or a gooil, hot bed of rough litter to en- 

 sure a good Inntorn heat. Whether pipes or hot bed he 

 the medium for bottom heat, when putting in soil for 

 planting, first lay a layer of turf, and on this place llie 

 ridge bed, which should be about a foot deep and 1 s 

 inches wide, trodden firm. On this the melon can be 

 planted and made as firm as possible ; then as the roots 



appear on the surface more soil can be added, making 

 firm as before. This is a better method than making up 

 the whole bed at once, as it keeps the plants conlinuallv 

 running into fresh soil, and aflbrds a better chance of 

 feeding at the proper time. 



The plants should be placed about 15 inches apart, 

 and supported with a stake to the bottom wire of the 

 trellis ; allow them to run three parts up the trellis 

 before stopping, then the points may be piiiched out, 

 and any laterals at the bottom may also be pinched ; 

 then the sub-laterals from these and the laterals further 

 up will bear female flowers at the same time. 



The female flowers must be pollinated to ensure suc- 

 cess. The method of doing this is too well known to 

 need detailing. It is advisable to execute the operation 

 about mid-day while the sun is bright and warm. The 

 fruits should be, as far as possible, set about the same 

 time, otherwise some of them will be in advance of the 

 others, making an uneven crop, and the earlier ones will 

 rob the later ones of much nourishment, besides causing 

 inconvenience to the cultivator in the way of treatment. 



When the fruits are swollen the size of a pigeon's 

 egg, pinch the laterals one or two leaves beyond the 

 fruit, and keep all subsequent growths pinched at one 

 leaf, and never let the plants become overcrowded. 

 When the fruits are two-thirds grown, support them 

 with nets from the trellis. 



Throughout the growth of the melon, except just 

 while fruit-setting and ripening are in progress, abun- 

 dance of moisture must be maintained in the structure. 

 Syringe (he plants morning and afternoon, and fre- 

 quently damp down the house. ,\dmit air on all favour- 

 able occasions, but carefully avoid cold draughts, and 

 see that the house is closed down early in the afternoon. 

 The syringing and damping should be discontinued 

 while setting is in progress, especially in the mornings ; 

 and again, when the fruits begin to ripen, atmospheric 

 moisture should be much reduced as well as the water 

 supply at the roots. A night temperature of 6-, to 70 

 degrees should hi maintained, rising to 85 degrees in 

 the d.ay-time throughout the growing season, .\bout 

 four fruits to a plant yields a nice crop of medium fruits. 



Melons may be successfully grown in frames, but this 

 method is not on the whole so reliable as house culture. 

 However, where such has to be resorted to, a hot-bed 

 should be prepared in April of stable litter and leaves, 

 .-ihoul three feet deep, to ensure .an equable lasting 

 heat. On this form ridges, as already advised, bring- 

 ing the ridge well up to the glass. Plant melons as be- 

 fore, but these should be pinched when they have made 

 two rough leaves — the result being two side shoots. 

 Train one to either corner of the light, the after-treat- 

 ment being practically the same as alre.idy adviseil. 

 jutlicious ihimting of the plants must be conlimietl. 

 ,S\'ringing need not be pr.'ictisetl to so great an extent, 

 ;is these plants will be more liable to rot and cankei 

 than the others. Support the (niils of llu'se |>lants on 

 flower-pots. 



Rotting oft' at the neck is often .a worry ; to prevent it 

 water carefully at all times, avoiding as far as possible 

 wetting round the collar ; to check it, dust round with 

 powdered charcoal. Mildew sometimes appe.ars. 

 Spraying with Bordeaux mixture or SulphiiK' of I'otas- 

 sium is a good remedv. 



