OF THE MELON. 81 



When the plants cover the surface of the bed 

 always water without a rose, observing that it 

 should be invariably done in the morning, and 

 when the weather is fine, so as to allow the vines 

 to get dry before night, which will not be the 

 case, if it is applied in the afternoon ; and should 

 the following day be dull, and perhaps continue 

 so for three or four, the vines will remain wet* 

 and then there is every probability of their 

 getting the canker, which entirely proceeds from 

 a cold chill, created by unnecessary moisture. 



The canker is a very destructive disorder, and 

 extremely difficult to eradicate. The only means 

 that can be adopted, or likely to prove beneficial, 

 is to keep the plants as dry as possible, and to 

 give a good heat; being careful, at the same 

 time, not to run into the other extreme, and 

 create the red spider. If, however, the plants 

 are kept thin of vine, and water is applied in 

 the manner before directed, no fear need be 

 entertained of either of the above disorders. 



