OF THE MELON. 77 



insufficiency of moisture is an error too prevalent 

 with many gardeners in the culture of the melon, 

 and indeed the inferiority of their fruit, both in 

 weight and flavour, may be greatly attributed to 

 want of judgment in this particular ; for if the 

 plants are kept thin of vine, the necessity of 

 which has been before stated, they are of course 

 more open to the air, and the sun has greater 

 power in drying up the soil, consequently the 

 plants will become exhausted, and the fruit will 

 ripen before its growth is properly matured. 



The Early Cantaloupe melon, if left to its full 

 time, will be five weeks from the period of setting 

 before it ripens; the Stroud about six; the Scarlet 

 seven ; and the Black Rock upwards of seven ; 

 there will, however, be some difference between 

 those forced early with bottom heat, and those 

 grown late ; the early ones coming to perfection 

 three or four days, or even a week before the other. 



the plants, in admitting it partially. This will be generally 

 requisite from about ten until two ; and at that time, in 

 proportion to the degree of shade, a larger quantity of air 

 must be admit' 



