72 ON THE CULTURE OF THE MELON 



the strongest showing fruit, and when these 

 have their fruit set and swelling, remove daily all 

 the others as they show themselves. 



Should the sort of melon be large, or if 

 extraordinary quality be desired, one fruit on a 

 plant will be sufficient. Lay it, while growing, 

 on a slate or tile, stalk upwards ; and this will 

 make it grow much handsomer than if on its side. 

 It should be shaded by a leaf whilst growing, 

 but the leaf should not touch the fruit. When 

 full-grown, which will be in about a month after 

 it begins to swell, expose it to the sun. If the 

 plants have been well attended to, they will send 

 forth other laterals showing fruit, one of which 

 can be allowed to remain without injury to the 

 full-grown fruit ; the fruit of the lateral will ripen 

 in five or six weeks after the first has been cut, 

 and frequently be finer flavoured than the first. 



Watering. Little water will be required be- 

 yond sprinkling, which is necessary during the 

 hot months, to keep the plants free from insects. 



About ten o'clock in the morning give as 



