114 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUID#. 
growing point, and laterals will soon be produced along the whole 
length of the shoots, and the majority of these will bear a fruit. 
Each plant will not be able to carry more than four or five fruits, 
but the first fruit on each of the laterals must be allowed to remain 
until rather larger than a pigeon’s egg, for they sometimes turn 
yellow and drop off just before reaching the size here mentioned. 
When it is seen that the fruits are swelling freely, thin them to four 
or five to each plant, stop back the laterals from which the 
fruit is removed to about the fourth leaf, and allow the others to 
go unchecked, as the fruit will keep them within bounds. The 
superfluous shoots must be thinned out in the course of the summer, 
to prevent over-crowding, and they should be removed whilst in a 
small state with the finger and thumb. 
They require syringing overhead twice a day, until the ripening 
of the fruit commences, and liberal supplies of water also at the 
roots. No water must, however, be applied from the time the 
fruit is set until it is as large as a pigeon’s egg, or it will assuredly 
turn yellow and refuse to swell. 1t is important, therefore, to give 
the plants a thorough soaking of water just before the female flowers 
begin to expand, so that the plants may not suffer from dryness at 
the roots. 
Two of the best melons for the amateur are Gilbert’s Green-flesh 
and Scarlet Gem. 
MANAGEMENT OF THE INDIA-RUBBER PLANT. 
BY A PARLOUR GARDENER. 
m==7QR placing in the windows of the drawing-room and 
| other indoor apartments, the India-rubber Plant (Ficus 
elasticus) is held in high estimation by those conver- 
sant with the plants most suitable for the embellish- 
== ment of the dwelling-house. Its popularity, however, 
does not exceed its merits, for when well developed it is remarkably 
bold in habit, distinct in character, and highly ornamental in 
appearance. The India-rubber Plant has also the great merit of 
adapting itself to situations most unfavourable to plant life, and 
with ordinary care will grow vigorously in towns as well as in 
country districts, where it can enjoy the pure air so essential to the 
health of the majority of ornamental plants. The leaves of the 
Ficus, unlike those of the majority of other plants hardy enough 
in constitution to be grown in the dwelling-house, are very thick 
and leathery in texture, and have so highly a polished surface that 
the dust and other impurities of the atmosphere of towns cannot 
adhere to them, and if the dust should settle upon the surface it 
can be readily removed with the aid of a sponge and a little clean 
water, and the plants be again made to present a fresh and bright 
appearance. 
To propagate the India-rubber Plant is not so easy a task as 
