SECT. XIV. OF RAISING MELONS. ' 195 



one third, of well con fumed dung, and it makes a good 

 cotnpoft, but it mud be completely incorporated by 

 frequent turning and expofing to fun and air, and kept 

 by fbme means dry, as under a filed, &c. as dire6ied for 

 cucumbers. Much depends on the melons growing 

 in a good foil, and rather a ftrong one. 



The planting of melons takes place as foon as t 1 e 

 hills of mould are warm through; only if a violent 

 heat is in the bed a day or two's delay does not fignify, 

 if the plants are doing well where they are; yet the 

 roots mull not be cramped longer in the pots than 

 necedary. Melons require a greater depth of mould 

 to grow in than cucumbers, and the bottom of the 

 roots, at planting, mould not be nearer than five or (i* 

 inches from the dung. Shade them from much fun', 

 till they have taken root. 



If the lights are final I, one plant under each is fuf- 

 ficient, and if large, let there be only two; for melons 

 require much room. It is a great error in the cultiva- 

 tion of melons not to allow it them. Earth the plants 

 up with dry mould about the (hanks as thev proceed in 

 growth* and bend them gentt'y down with pegs, to givt 

 them a regular and fnug direction all over the bed. 

 When fruit is fet, there muff be only one of the large, 

 znd two of the fmall forts, (fair and prornihng) left on 

 each principalruniier, and this runner ihould be pinched 

 off at the lecond, or rather the third joint above it, 

 which is called flopping. 



Pruning is neceffaiy, in order to frrengthen the 

 bearers, and keep the frame from getting too full of. 

 vine, i.e. let al i very ftrong, and all weak (hoots be 

 taken cut, as Hh the Uttdrfk; but take care that too 

 many male blofibms are not thus cut off, for the weak 

 moots (if not abundant) do no great harm : As in other 

 plants, fo in melons, it is the middling (hoots that bear 

 fruit the beft. 



Train the branches ail regular fin time) with m« 

 pegs, for it hurts melon plants to lie rude, and to have 

 K 2 their 



