370 VILLA GARDENING part iv 



Heat, Moisture, and Shade. — Melons ought never to be 

 shaded. When well grown in the right kinds of soil they are 

 quite cajDable of bearing all the sunshine we obtain, and shade 

 weakens the plants. With j^roper ventilation, and due attention 

 to watering, shade will never be required. A comfortable bottom- 

 heat is one of the chief requisites for successful Melon culture, for 

 though Melons of good appearance can be grown without it, they 

 do not possess the right flavour. In this respect root-warmth, 

 beyond what is supplied by the sun in om- climate, even when the 

 protection of glass is added, seems essential to the highest pitch 

 of excellence. When the bottom-heat is supplied by hot-water 

 l)ipes, a bed of fermenting materials over them tends to steady the 

 temperature, and makes it more genial ; in fact, we have the steady 

 moisture of the dung bed with the steady warmth of hot-water 

 pipes. In the early stages the Melon reqiures liberal supplies of 

 moisture, both at the root and in the atmosphere ; but, unlike its 

 relative the Cucumber, it must have free ventilation, to keep its 

 foliage strong to the last. However, a free and perfect system of 

 ventilation is always consistent with a steady Avarmth and freedom 

 from draughts. In bright weather, as the days lengthen and 

 the fniit is approaching its full size, a little'air should be given 

 early in the morning, and the fullest use made of the sunshine by 

 closing early in the afternoon. 



Temperature. — The night temperature from artificial means 

 never need exceed from 60° to 65°. Of course in hot weather in 

 summer it will range higher. The day temperature, with air 

 enough on to prevent scorching, may run up to 80°, or more ; 

 indeed, the more warmth Melons get in the daytime the better, as 

 the sunshine will consolidate any growth which is made. Early in 

 the season, in order to check draughts, it is a good plan to cover 

 the ventilators over with a coarse scrim or canvas ; enough air 

 percolates through to keep the interior atmosphere in gentle 

 motion, without causing a chilled condition. This plan is useful 

 in the cause of all early forcing ; the scrim robs the fresh air of its 

 icy coldness. 



Melons without Fire-Heat. — There are an immense number 

 of Melons grown without fire-heat — more, in fact, than with it. 

 Gardeners of the old school always grew their Melons with the aid 

 of manure alone, and much ingenuity was displayed by clever men 

 in the arrangement of their pits and beds of fermenting materials, 

 so as to ensure a steady warmth. In my young days I have seen 

 a good many experiments made. Provided one had plenty of 

 fermenting materials, such as tree leaves and stable manure, always 

 ready for use to frequently renew the linings, as much success was 



