172 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



soil from the trench in the second bed is spread over it 

 evenly. In the same way after the trench in the 

 second bed has been filled with manure, the soil from 

 the third bed is spread over it ; and so on till all the 

 beds are made. 



When the heat has sunk to about 75 or 80 Fahr., 

 two or three Melon plants are then placed under each 

 light in the centre of the frame. A hole is scooped out 

 of the compost with the hands and a young Melon 

 plant is carefully turned out of its pot or lifted from its 

 position with a nice ball of soil. Each plant is carefully 

 placed in the hole thus made, arranging one shoot to 

 point to the top of the frame and the other towards 

 the bottom. Injury to the roots must be avoided, and 

 the mould should be packed round them carefully 

 by hand. 



A little tepid water is then given to each plant, the 

 frames are closed up and shaded with mats for three 

 or four days until the plants have recovered. When 

 they show signs of new growth, the mats may be 

 taken off during the day unless the sun gets too hot. 

 They are, however, put on again at night-time for 

 protection. 



Ventilation and Watering. About a week after 

 planting a little air may be given, very little at first, 

 but gradually increasing the amount as the weather 

 becomes warmer and the plants stronger. Attention 

 must be paid to watering, the supply being regulated 

 largely by the vigour of growth and the weather. 

 When the plants are growing freely and the weather 

 is warm, more water will be required than when reverse 

 conditions prevail. About the end of May, or during 

 June, if the weather is fine the lights may be taken 



