78 ON THE CULTURE 



The proper time to sow for under-ground 

 melons, that is, such as are grown without linings, 

 is from the twenty-fifth of March to the twentieth 

 of June; observing, at the same time, that 

 those which are sown in March will require 

 stronger beds than those that are set three weeks 

 or a month later. 



The beds for the first should be formed of 

 good dung, well worked, and three feet in height ; 

 whereas the latter will only require two feet. 

 Dig a trench the size of the frame, about eighteen 

 inches deep ; and if the soil is a strong good 

 holding loam, it will answer the purpose for any 

 description of rock melon ; they requiring a 

 strong soil to bring them to perfection ; a light 

 loam, however, may be used for the Early Can- 

 taloupe. 



As soon as the bed is formed, tread it down 

 well, make it even, and let it have about six 

 inches fall from the back to the front ; then put 

 on the boxes and lights, and when the heat rises 

 to its proper height, which will be in the course 



