io THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



may not be wise to miss a couple of fruits on a plant at an early period of the season, 

 provided the growth is vigorous, but it is generally preferable to have a nearly full- sized 

 plant and several flowers open at nearly the same time to obtain a regular crop of melons. 

 Three or four full-sized fruits are as many as a healthy plant is capable of finishing per- 

 fectly under one light of an ordinary melon frame. Six fruits may be preferred and pro- 

 duced, but it is vain to expect one plant to produce six melons equal in size and quality 

 to those on another plant producing three or four. The surplus fruits should be removed 

 directly those selected for the crop are swelling freely say, when about the size of a 

 hen's egg. 



Pruning. After the fruit is set, stop all growths to two leaves as fast as they appear, 

 thinning out useless wiry growths, and cut away shoots that if left would deprive the 

 principal leaves of light, air, and nourishment. These main leaves, if healthy, will attract 

 and elaborate the food necessary for the maturation of the fruit, and improve its flavour. 

 The fruits when large may be elevated on inverted flower pots to complete the ripening 

 process, still keeping the pieces of slate beneath them, to prevent moisture rising and 

 causing decay of the fruit on the under side. 



Maintaining the Heat. When the night temperature falls below 70, a covering of 

 mats should be placed over the frame, varying in thickness according to the weather, 

 and made secure with wood battens. On mild nights without frost, one mat, on frosty 

 nights, two mats, and on severe nights, three mats, will in. most cases be sufficient. 

 The covering should be removed in the morning by the time the sun reaches the frame, 

 or would do, if there were no clouds, for the plants must have light ; and the mats must 

 be placed over the lights soon after the sun leaves the frame in the afternoon. No 

 stated time can be given, as the days vary. But, as a rule, the covering need not be 

 removed before 8 A.M., nor replaced before 5 P.M., during February and March; an 

 hour earlier and later in April and May ; and after the middle of June the covering may 

 usually be dispensed with, except on cold nights. The covering material must not 

 hang over fresh linings, or noxious gases may pass into the frame, and destroy the 

 plants. 



Additional heat is provided by linings of fermenting materials kept in reserve, 

 sufficiently warm to at once raise the declining heat of the bed. 



Linings from the bottom are only needed for early beds, and not always in mild 

 seasons. The frame will sink into the bed, and must be raised at intervals as needed to 

 keep the glass about 1 foot from the plants. Eaising the frame about the thickness 



