1S6 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



455. The heat of the manure is not lasting ; consequently, the bed will 

 require watching. It is advisable to have a thermometer in the frame, and 

 as soon as the heat gets below 70°, apply a lining of fresh dung, which has been 

 IDrejjared as before, to the front and one side of the bed ; and when this again 

 declines, add another to the back and the other side. The bed can be kept 

 at a gi-owing heat for any length of time by this means, remo-\ang, at first, 

 the old linings, and replacing them by fresh ; but after a time, the roots will 

 penetrate the linings, when they must not be disturbed : fresh dung must 

 then be added to them. 



456. When the plants have made two leaves, pinch out the point above the 

 second ; each plant will then send out two lateral shoots above the second 

 leaf of each shoot : pick off the top. After that, stop them above every fruit, 

 and, as the plants grow, add fresh soil, till the whole bed is level, taking care 

 that the soil is of the same temperature as the bed before placing it in the 

 frame, or the plants are hkely to receive a chill, which throws them back 

 considerably. 



457. It will be necessary, between the months of October and April, to set 

 each fruit as the flower opens. This is done by taking a male flower, and 

 pullmg off all but the centre (that is, the stamens supporting the anthers, 

 which hold the farina or pollen), and applying this to the centre of the female 

 flower, which may be distinguished by the rudiment of the fruit supporting it. 

 This, in the warmer months, is the ofiSce of bees. Attracted to the flowers 

 by the honey and pollen, they fertilize the female blossom in collecting it ; 

 but when there are no bees about, the cultivator must perform the task 

 himself. 



458. The culture of the melon is very similar. The preparation of the 

 manure, making the bed, raising the plants, the stopping and setting, are the 

 same ; but the soil in which they are finally planted should be trodden down 

 rather firmly ; and as the fruit appears all nearly about the same time, it is 

 advisable to have them swell off as nearly as possible together ; otherwise, 

 the most forward will take the lead, and become much larger than the other. 

 Two melons on a plant are as much as can be expected to do well ; but never 

 more than three should be allowed to remain : pinch off" all the rest, and 

 every other unnecessary growth. It is important that the j^lants be not 

 allowed to ramble after the fruit has begun to swell ; for this will recjmre the 

 whole strength of the plant. The fruit takes some four or five weeks, occa- 

 sionally more, from the time of setting to the time of ripening, which is 

 indicated by the stalk a^jpearing to separate froni the finiit. They should be 

 cut and used on the day this takes place, or very soon after. 



459. Asparagus and seakale are both successfully forced in the frame and 

 melon-pit ; but asparagus-plants are not fit to move before February. The 

 usual plan is to make up a 3-foot bed, and cover it with 3 inches of loamy 

 soil, before putting on the frame : this allows more space inside. When 

 the frame is on, and the bed of a right temperature, a little soil is put at the 

 '.back of the frame, in the form of a bank, about 6 inches high, and sloping 



