224 Commercial Gardening 



as large as a small hen's egg all the fruits except the two best are sup- 

 pressed. Later on, when these two are about as large as cricket balls, 

 the grower decides which is the better of the two, and then suppresses 

 the other, so that each plant eventually ripens only one fruit. It is 

 considered better to have one large, line fruit than to have two or more 

 smaller ones. Throughout the entire period of growth, watering and 

 ventilation are judiciously regulated, watering always being done before 

 ten o'clock in the morning. In due course the fruits begin to ripen. 

 This is known by the change of colour in the skin and by the aroma. 

 The fruits are then cut and are placed in a cool, dark, airy place to ripen 

 slowly. If left too long on the plants they may ripen too suddenly, and 

 be unfit for market. 



The worst diseases of Melons are a fungoid disease, called nuile in 

 French gardens, brought about by Scolecotrichum melophthorum in cold, 

 wet, and erratic seasons. To avoid it the plants must be kept warm and 

 free from cold draughts, and great care must be taken not to overwater 

 and make the atmosphere too humid. Flowers of sulphur may be dredged 

 about the plants as a preventive and check. Canker also attacks Melons 

 occasionally. The injured portions are best cut away, afterwards dressing 

 the wounds with powdered lime or wood ashes. 



Besides the Canteloupe varieties mentioned, a smaller variety known 

 as " Chypre " or " Kroumir " is sometimes grown. The seeds are sown 

 early in April, and the plants are grown on in the same way as the 

 Canteloupes, but are placed under cloches instead of lights. About the 

 end of May or during June they require no protection, except perhaps 

 over the centre. The plants are stopped and pinched, and the first fruits 

 will be ripe early in August if not sooner. 



The plate shows a portion of a range of Canteloupe Melons in full 

 bearing. It will be noticed that only three fruits are allowed to each 

 light (one to each plant), and the size of each can be judged in com- 

 parison w r ith the lady's hat, which is by no means small. 



Radishes. These constitute an easily grown and lucrative crop either 

 when grown in frames during the winter months or in the open air in 

 spring, summer, and autumn. For early frame culture the Turnip-shaped 

 or Round Red varieties are favoured, the " Forcing Scarlet " being one 

 of the best. The first sowing may be made in September, on warm 

 sheltered beds sloping towards the south, to produce a crop about the 

 end of November or early December. If the weather is unfavourable, 

 it may be necessary to cover at night with mats or litter. 



In November and December Radishes are also sown in frames in 

 which Carrots have already been sown and in which Lettuces are to be 

 planted, and as range after range is cleared of the crops, so Radishes 

 may be sown again beneath or between the Lettuces and over the Carrots 

 until February and March. At the end of January and onwards, Radishes 

 are also sown in the open borders, but the same system of over and under- 

 cropping is carried on. The growth naturally is slower than under the 



