MELONSSOIL AND SEASON. 5 



should be about I inch above the soil, then new roots will issue from the stem, and 

 strengthen the plants. If it is found necessary to water newly potted-off plants, it is 

 better to stand the pots in a tray containing about |-inch depth of water for a short time 

 so as to moisten the soil, than to apply it at the surface, which might cause the plants to 

 damp off, especially early in the season. Too much care cannot be taken not to injure 

 the roots or stems in potting-off seedlings, and the soil should be warm before using. 

 It is a bad plan to allow the plants to become very much root-bound and starved in 

 the pots before planting, and it is better to keep up a proper succession of young plants 

 by frequent sowings than to hold plants over from one sowing for planting at a much 

 later period, even if they are shifted into larger pots, for no plants succeed so well as 

 those grown from first to last without any check whatever. 



Soil. A strong naturally rich loam, friable rather than adhesive, is the best for 

 melons. The top 3 inches of a pasture the herbage of which is rich enough to fatten 

 oxen will grow grand fruit without any admixture, and the rich soil found in valleys, 

 especially that from warped land bordering rivers, is decidedly to be preferred before 

 that from high ground. The turves should be cut in autumn, laid in a heap grass 

 downwards, and a little soot sprinkled on each layer, about a bushel to each cartload. 

 The turfy portion should either be broken in pieces with the hand or chopped up with 

 a spade when required for use the following season. Light soils are not nearly so useful 

 for melons as strong loam, but by adding a fifth of old cow-manure, and a sixth of clay 

 dried and pounded, mixing the whole well, good fruit may be grown. Manure should 

 only be sparingly used ; too rich soil induces over-luxuriant growth, and it is better 

 to apply a richer compost as a top dressing or " earthing " after the fruit is set, or 

 supply liquid manure at the same period. The soil should be made very firm in order 

 to force the roots to run slowly through it, produce abundance of fibres, and sturdy, 

 short-jointed, fruitful growth. 



Season of Fruit. This depends upon the mode of culture adopted. 1. When grown 

 in pits or frames by the aid of fermenting materials only, melons may be had ripe from 

 the latter part of May to the beginning of October. 2. If grown in well-heated, light 

 airy structures, ripe fruit may be had occasionally from the middle to the end of April, 

 but generally from the early part of May till November or later. The best fruits, 

 however, are only had when there is plenty of sun to ripen them. 



