OF THE MELON. 75 



Have four runners to a light ; that is, if two 

 plants, two runners to each ; but if three, two 

 runners to one plant, and one to each of the 

 other two. If the lights are large, they may be 

 suffered to run to eight joints ; but if, on the 

 contrary, the lights are confined, six will be 

 sufficient ; and all other breaks that come out 

 at home, with the first break that issues from the 

 runners, should be effectually taken away, in 

 order that the others may derive strength and 

 nourishment. As soon as they make the first 

 breaks from the runners, which by some are 

 denominated cross bars, top them at the first 

 joint, and in most sorts they will generally show 

 fruit ; but if it should so happen that this does 

 not succeed, top them again, when they are 

 certain of showing fruit at the second. 



If they are impregnated in the same manner 

 as prescribed in the directions for the cucumber, 

 there will be no difficulty in setting the fruit, 

 which will also show much bolder, and possess 

 greater strength when topped in close. 



L2 



