OF THE MELON. 79 



of three or four days, put the mould in for the 

 hills, in the proportion of two barrows-full to a 

 light, levelling it about an inch all over the bed, 

 for the purpose of preventing the rank steam 

 from injuring the plants. On the following day 

 they may be ridged out, and watered, being very 

 particular in sprinkling the bed regularly over. 

 Admit air freely both night and day at first, 

 until the bed is purified, and becomes perfectly 

 sweet; this will be the case in about a week, 

 when they may be shut down at night. Let the 

 topping and training be the same as directed for 

 the early ones. 



If the soil is strong, and of a binding nature, a 

 bank may be made on the outside, at the back 

 and front, about a foot or eighteen inches wide, 

 which will prove a great support to the fruit, 

 and cause them to grow much larger and finer ; 

 but if the soil is light and rich, by no means 

 make a bank, nor ridge out the plants in it, as 

 mould of that description is not at all adapted 

 for the production of fine melons. The only 

 one that will in any degree thrive in light rich 



