372 VILLA GARDENING part iv 



as to be read)' for receiving the plants when in a fit condition to be 

 put out. The culture of 



Melons ik Frames in its leading featiu'es is like the culture in 

 houses heated by hot water. In each case the heat must be steady, 

 both at the root and in the air. The same care as regards ventila- 

 tion and atmospheric moisture is necessary. As regards the train- 

 ing of Melons in frames, the usual way is, wlien the bed is ready, 

 to place a hill of loam in the centre of each light, and leave it 

 a day or two to get warmed through to the temperature of the 

 frame, then put it into the right position and press it down to the 

 requisite degree of firmness, and put one good strong Melon plant 

 in the centre of the light. Sometimes two plants are placed in 

 each light, but, unless the liglits are longer and wider than the 

 average, I tliink one plant enough. The i)lants will probably have 

 been stopped several days before, and the moment the roots begin 

 to feel the stinudus of the fresh soil four or more shoots will break 

 away from the base of the plant. Four of the best of these will 

 be pegged out towards the four corners of the frame, but before 

 much progress is made more earth should be jjlaced in the frame 

 to fill it up to the level of the hills, or nearly so. Melons succeed 

 best in a somewhat llea^^' loam, made rather firm by pressure. If 

 the soil is at all light they make too much growth, and the constant 

 pinching and pmning which is thereby rendered necessary not only 

 Aveaken and exhaust the system of the plant, but often lead to 

 the attacks of disease and insects. That fatal disease, gangi-ene, 

 is often produced primarily by planting in a soil too light, and pos- 

 sibly too rich. As soon as the four leading shoots reach the corners 

 of the frame the terminal buds must be pinched out, and all the 

 side shoots slioidd be stopped one leaf from the fruit. Set the crop of 

 fruit as nearly altogether as possible, and as soon as they began to 

 swell place them on pans to lift them off the ground. It is best to 

 place the flower end of the fruit towards the north. Sometimes the 

 fruit cracks, and I have an idea that the sun, when it shines early in 

 the morning upon the fruit, may have some injurious influence, especi- 

 ally if the ventilators are not opened as early as they ought to be. 



The Flavour of Melons is, more than any other fruit, influ- 

 enced by culture. When the finest possible condition is reached 

 the flavour remains in the fruit but a short time ; hence the difli- 

 culty of always having a reaUy good fruit to i)lace on the table for 

 any particular party unless a large number are grown. As soon 

 as the fruit begins to change colour water must be withheld and 

 plenty of air given. When near the ripening stage the friut should 

 be cut and placed in a cool fruit-room for a day or two, and then 

 sent to table. 



