6 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



CULTURE IN FRAMES AND PITS. 



The oldest mode of cultivating melons in this country is in frames on hotbeds of 

 fermenting materials, and large supplies of fruit are thus obtained in summer ; therefore, 

 concise instructions will be useful to those having no other means of raising and growing 

 this delicious and highly perfumed fruit. 



Site for Hotbeds. Out-of-the-way corners, unless fully exposed to the sun from 

 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., are not suitable, for the melon requires all the light possible. The 

 site must be open, exposed to the east, south, and west, with the protection of a wall 

 or fence to the north. It is usual to select an open, sunny, sheltered situation for the 

 frame ground, and to enclose it with privet or other hedges, and keep them closely 

 trimmed to about 4^-feet height, so as to break the force of winds from every quarter. 

 The site should also be dry, or so elevated above the ground level that water will drain 

 from instead of to the beds. 



Fermenting Materials for Hotbeds. Oak, beech and Spanish chestnut leaves collected 

 in the autumn when dry, closely packed together to form a ridge and thatched with 

 coarse grass, reeds or straw, will keep nearly in the same condition as when stacked 

 until spring. These, mixed with stable manure, form the best means for supplying the 

 requisite bottom and top heat. Stable manure alone, if fresh and sweet, is suitable, but 

 the heat is apt to be more violent at first and not so durable as that obtained by an 

 admixture of equal proportions of stable manure and leaves early in the season, and two- 

 thirds leaves and one-third stable manure after February. The stable manure and 

 leaves should be thrown into a heap a fortnight before the material is wanted for making 

 the hotbed, incorporating all well together, sprinkling the dry parts with water or liquid 

 manure. In the course of about four days the materials will ferment, and should be 

 turned, shaking and mixing well, putting the outside inside and sprinkling with water 

 where too dry. This having been done three or four times the materials will be in a 

 fit state to form a hotbed. The object of the mixing and turning is to secure uniform 

 warmth, steady and prolonged heat, and the expulsion of noxious vapour. 



The height of the hotbed depends on the time of year. If the bed is for a one-light 

 box to raise plants in, it should be 3 feet 6 inches high for sowings in February, 3 feet 

 for those in March, and 2 feet 6 inches for others later in the season. For beds to 

 receive the plants in February, the height should be 4| feet, in March 4 feet, and after- 



