76 ON THE CULTURE 



Every description of melon will be brought to 

 a greater degree of perfection, by being suffered 

 to swell off on the first shows, which can alone 

 be effected by keeping them thin of vine : if 

 this is particularly attended to, no apprehension 

 need be entertained of the fruit being small or 

 delicate, as, in proportion to the quantity of vine, 

 so it decreases the strength and vigour of the 

 plants. 



Great care is necessary in watering the plants : 

 when they are young, it should be applied with 

 a rose; but as soon as the runners are extended all 

 over the bed, that maybe dispensed with. If the 

 weather is dull, a small quantity of water will he 

 sufficient ; and if very fine, more must be applied 

 carefully without a rose, which will be found 

 beneficial in causing them to set more freely.* An 



* As the season advances, and the sun becomes powerful, 

 it will be necessary to shade them from the extreme violence 

 of the heat. Mats are generally made use of, but the Author 

 considers evergreen boughs far preferable, as the former 

 entirely precludes the sun, whereas the latter is beneficial to 



