MELONS 177 



air may be given, gradually raising the cloche more 

 and more on the tilt as the plants increase in size and 

 vigour. 



About the end of May the cloche is no longer large 

 enough to hold the entire plant. The branches must, 

 therefore, be allowed to run outside as soon as weather 

 permits. 



Some straw or litter may be spread over the beds 

 before this to keep them moist, and the cloches may 

 be raised off the soil by placing three small pots or 

 tilts beneath them. In this way the main stem will 

 be protected against cold or against heavy waterings 

 or drenching rains. 



The tips of the shoots are pinched in the same way as 

 recommended for the " Prescott" varieties (see p. 173), 

 but eight or nine leaves may be left on the two branches 

 that develop after the first stem has been stopped. 

 The shoots arising from these two branches should be 

 shortened to four leaves ; and the branches arising 

 from these, again, may be shortened to three leaves. 



As soon as fruits appear a selection should be made 

 of the best. Those that are allowed to ripen should 

 be protected by cloches, or each fruit at least should 

 be covered with a large leaf to protect it from the 

 sun. About the middle of July the cloches may be 

 removed altogether if the weather is fine, and early 

 in August the " Chypre " or " Kroumir " Melons 

 should be ripe. 



Diseases. Melons are afflicted occasionally with 

 several diseases. The worst apparently in French 

 gardens is the " nuile " a disease which causes the 

 leaves, young stems, and fruits to rot. It is brought 

 about by a fungus known as Scolecotrichum mcloph- 



12 



