THE MELON. 73 



pot plants, various, at Is. each, \5l. Now, no one can 

 dispute this, yet it will more than cover the first cost 

 of the building and apparatus complete. 



THE MELON HOUSE. 



The same class of house which has been already de- 

 scribed for Cucumbers will do well for Melons, except 

 that a flatter roof may be used. An angle of not more 

 than 30 should be employed for Melons, as no shading 

 should be given them. There is a vital difference 

 between growing Melons and Cucumbers. The latter 

 require quite as much heat, but not so much light ; 

 and upon the whole the Melon is much easier to grow 

 than the Cucumber, as a rule, to which there are some 

 exceptions, of course, and these relate to the growing of 

 early Melons. 



Early Melons are difficult to set as regards the 

 fruit, for want of sun, and the difficulty is much greater 

 when they are grown in frames than when grown in 

 houses. If they are grown in well-ventilated and light 

 houses, much less trouble will arise in the setting 

 of the fruit. In frames they are difficult to set, on 

 account of the close damp air ; but in a good house 

 the air is freer and drier, so that the pollen is easier 

 of distribution by insects or otherwise. 



For growing early Melons, large sized glass, a 

 flatter roof than is used for Cucumbers, facility for 

 giving air, and no shading these are the conditions for 

 good success ; also never to allow the vines to get thick 

 and confused. Nor does it answer to turn the foliage 

 underside uppermost. Some may not see the import- 

 ance of all this, but I know from experience that these 



