A Year's Work in the Vegetable Garden 



forms part of the routine of a vegetable garden. Up to a certain 

 point it may be grown in the same house with Cucumbers ; but after 

 that point is reached, the two plants need widely different treatment. 

 Cucumbers are cut when young, and must be grown in a warm and 

 humid atmosphere from beginning to end. Melons need warmth, 

 and at the commencement moisture also ; but the fruit has to be 

 ripened, and after it is set dry treatment becomes essential for the 

 production of a rich flavour with plenty of aroma. In large gardens, 

 three crops of Melons are usually grown in the same house in one 

 season. A light soil is advisable at the beginning of the year, but a 

 heavier compost may be employed with advantage as the season 

 advances. For the first sowing select an early variety, and put the 

 seed in separate pots at the beginning of this month. Re-pot the 

 plants once, and they will be ready for the beds by the first week of 

 February. Melons from this sowing should be fit for table in May, 

 which is quite as early as they can be produced with any sugar in 

 them. Until the fruits begin to swell the treatment advised for 

 Cucumbers will suit Melons also. Afterwards the watering will need 

 careful management. It would be an advantage if the fruit could be 

 finished off without a drop of water from the time they are about two 

 inches in diameter, but the hot pipes render it almost impossible. 

 Still, water must not be given more frequently than is actually neces- 

 sary to keep the plants going, and when it is applied let there be a 

 thorough soaking. At the same time ventilation will demand con- 

 stant attention, and provided the temperature can be maintained, it 

 is scarcely possible to give air too freely. In the early stage of 

 growth, and in mild weather, if the thermometer registers 65 at 9 

 P.M., the cultivator may sleep peacefully so far as Melons are con- 

 cerned. As the season advances, the temperature may be increased 

 to 70 by night, and 75 to 90 by day. With reference to stopping, 

 it may be sufficient to say that it is a waste of energy to allow the 

 plant to make a large quantity of vine, which has afterwards to be cut 

 away. By judiciously pinching out the shoots, the plant can be 

 equally spread over the allotted space. The flowers must be fertilised, 

 and in this respect the treatment differs from that advised for 

 Cucumbers. The practice has the advantage of allowing the fruits 

 to be evenly distributed over the vine, and from four to six, according 

 to the size of the variety, will be enough for each plant to ripen. 



Mustard. Those who care for salads will need a supply of 

 Mustard almost all through the year, and to secure a succession it 

 will be necessary to sow at regular intervals. It is a good plan to 



