182 THE ORCHARD AND FRTTIT GARDEN. 



75 to 85. Before the second leaves come, the seed- 

 lings may be potted in five-inch pots, filled with strong 

 loam, enriched with manure, two plants in each pot, 

 and plunged in a temperature of from 70 to 80. 

 When a shoot sprouts from between the seed-leaves, 

 nip it off, which will encourage two more fruitful 

 shoots to sprout, and these will be enough for leaders. 

 About a fortnight later they may be planted out in the 

 bed. 



As the melons progress, be it remembered, the bottom 

 heat must never fall below 70, nor rise above 90, 

 while the atmosphere in which they grow must not fall 

 below 65, nor rise above 80, in general ; but when the 

 sun is out hot, it will be eight or ten degrees higher. 

 Shade is fatal to the melon. 



The seed may be sown about the middle of January. 

 If, when the young plants are planted out, they have 

 more than two shoots each, reduce them to that number. 

 Water them when dry, according to the weather, water- 

 ing also the sides of the frame, and the uncovered dung, 

 once a day, or thereabouts. When fresh coatings are 

 given, the insides of the frames against them must be 

 well watered two or three times a week, to prevent 

 burning. 



When the plants begin to spread, introduce more 

 earth, allowing from two to three barrowfuls to each 

 light, from first to last. The bed should be raised in 

 the middle, two plants set in the centre of each light, 

 and a shoot led towards each corner. 



When the shoots are within half a foot of the frame, 

 stop them, by nipping off the ends, by that means en- 

 couraging lateral shoots to put out, and these will 

 produce bloom of both kinds, generally more male than 

 female flowers. Every day, in the middle of the day, 

 because then the farina will be dry, the female bloom 

 nrn^t be set. As soon as there are four fruit on each 

 plant, swelled to about an inch long, or rather more, 

 cut away all the flowers that show themselves, stop each 

 shoot with fruit three or four eyes beyond it, and cut 

 away all coarse growth which is likely to weaken the 

 bearing parts. Connected with these, let there be good, 



