S6 FRUIT GROWING FOR AMATHURS 



Melon Growing in Glasshouses. The treatment of 

 Melons growing in a Jasshouse does not dilTer much in the 

 essential details trom that, described lor plants grown in a 

 frame. A hotbed is beneficial, and upon this the border of 

 h>amv soil is made uj>. In this case it is preferable to use the 

 turves intact, placing them on the hotbed in two layers and 

 io a width of from L'I > indies to L* feet. Turves thai have; been 

 tilt for about six months are the best, and thev should be about 

 1 inches thick. On the top place mounds of loamy soil, in 

 which a little well-rotted manure has been mixed, to encour- 

 age live growth, \\"hcn. in a lew da vs. t he soil has become warm, 

 put out tin.- .Melons, which should be sturdv, young plants 

 in -iJ-inch pots. Let the plants be put- about b s inches apart. 



The Melon plants are restricted to a single stem until the 

 top of the ti'elhs is almost reached, when the tip of each plant 

 is pinched out. Side growths then form and bear fruit. The 

 work ot fertilising, stopping the growths at the Jirst leal beyond 

 !li>- iruit. and syringeing the plants, is carried out as described 

 for plants in a frame. Admit a little air by the top ventilators 

 wh'-n the temperature exceeds M . and keep the, plants suit- 

 ably supplied with tepid water at the roots. giving less as the 



Kminence \\ill be found an excellent .Melon for this method 

 of cultivation. Jt is a large, o\al Iruit, beautifully netted, 

 and has sweet and juic\- white lle-h. Superlative is a very 

 tine scarlet -fleshed varietv, and a handsome, fruit. 



Jt the ]. hints are carefully un>\\n there will be no trouble 

 from jv d spid'-r; but if this is detected on the leaves, spray 

 the plants with weak salt, and water. 



''anker is not so easily dealt with, for there is no real cure. 

 If the stem is attacked duM the diseased place \\ith powdered 

 lime. J'lant.- frequentlv succumb if attacked near the base, 

 i.vl it will be found that the disease is more prevalent in some 

 than others. The chief preventive is to build up sturdy, 

 short- jointed plants, the.s: rarely suiT'-r from canker. 



