MELON. 201 



on-seed, distant two inches from one another, and cover 

 them about half an inch deep." 



After-culture. " When the plants are up, and in a state 

 of forwardness, producing their rough leaves, they must be 

 thinned to two or three in each hill . the extra number in 

 some may serve to fill up deficiences in others : draw earth 

 from time to time round the hills, and as high about the 

 plants as the seed-leaves; when fit stop them. This oper- 

 ation should be performed when the plants have two rough 

 leaves, and when the second is about an inch broad, hav- 

 ing the first runner-bud rising at its base ; the sooner this 

 is detached, the sooner the plants acquire strength, and put 

 out fruitful runners. 



" It is to be done in the following manner : 



" You will see arising in the centre of the plant, at the 

 bottom of the second rough leaf, the end of the first runner, 

 like a small bud ; which bud or runner, being the advancing 

 top of the plant, is now to be taken off close, and may be 

 done either with the point of a penknife or small scissors, 

 or pinched off carefully with the finger and thumb ; but, 

 whichever way you take it off, be careful not to go so close 

 as to wound the joint from whence it proceeds." 



Armstrong says, " If the branches be vigorous and 

 long, stretch them carefully over a level surface, and bury 

 every fourth or fifth joint. This is best done by means of a 

 wooden crotchet. The objects of pinching, or shortening 

 the stem, are thus completely fulfilled, without any of the 

 risk which attends that operation, and with advantages 

 peculiar to this method ; as, wherever the plant is buried, 

 new roots are formed for the better nutrition of the stem 

 and the fruit." 



Setting. " As the fruit-bearers come into blossom, you 

 may assist the setting of the fruit, by impregnating some 

 of the female blossoms with the male flowers, as directed 

 for the cucumber. The melon, however, will also set nat- 

 urally, and produce fertile seeds, if the time of fructification 

 fall at a season when the glasses can be left almost 

 constantly open." Aber. Nicol says he has " proved, 

 experimentally, that melons not impregnated will not swell 

 off so fair and handsome as impregnated ones, and there- 

 fore considers it more necessary to attend to this operation 

 in melons than in cucumbers." London. 



Care of the fruit. As the fruit increases to the size of a 

 walnut, place a flat tile or slate under each, to protect it 

 from the damp of the earth ; the slab, thus interposed, will 



