57 



about one-fourth part of vegetable mould : the whole 

 should be well incorporated, and, before using, should 

 be placed in a situation where it may not be liable to 

 become saturated by heavy rain ; which would serve 

 to destroy the free and open texture, which i'; is so de- 

 sirable to retain. 



In the application of moisture to the soil, the struc- 

 ture which is described in a previous chapter, will be 

 found to present facilities, which peculiarly adapt it for 

 the growth of these plants. In Persia, and the neigh- 

 bouring countries, where the Melon is so successfully 

 grown, the ground is irrigated by means of numerous 

 channels, which, from the limitation of their exposed 

 surface, are not peculiarly adapted to supply atmos- 

 pheric moisture ; but are yet sufficiently numerous to 

 secure the perfect irrigation of the soil, within the 

 reach of the roots. The tubes or shafts, represented 

 at C n) in the sketch referred to above, are intended to 

 communicate directly with a layer of coarse open ma- 

 terial, extending entirely over the top of the tank, and 

 beneath the soil ; by means of these a supply of water 

 should be poured beneath the soil, which will thus 

 keep that portion immediately about the young roots, 

 in a constant and complete state of saturation, by 

 means of the steam which will arise, in consequence of 

 the heat from the tank. A uniformly warm, and a 

 thoroughly moist soil, will be thus easily secured, 

 which are two important points in the growth of Per- 

 sian Melons. It must be recollected that these condi- 

 tions for supplying moisture, are recommended only 

 during the time of growing the plants, and swelling 

 the fruit ; but as these latter approach their maturity, 

 the degree of moisture must of course be gradually di- 

 minished. 



In connection with this moistened and genial soil, 



