SECT. XIV. OF RAISING MELONS. 205 



are three or four days old, take them up carefully, 

 so as not to break any of the roots, and either plant 

 one in a small pot, or two in a little bigger ; but de- 

 pend on no plants which do not appear healthy and 

 strong. Sow a few seeds every four or five days, lest 

 accidents happen to destroy the first plants. 



As melons require skill, and occasion trouble to 

 raise them, the greatest possible care should be taken 

 that the seed is of a good kind. Melons should 

 never grow near cucumbers, especially if for seed, as 

 the farina of the cucumber may impregnate the 

 blossom of the melon, and give it a watery flavour, 

 or quite alter the nature of it : Do not sow foreign 

 seed, except for experiment. 



Though melons may be sown in a cucumber frame, 

 when in a good heat, yet rather make a seed bed, of 

 about three feet thick ; and having put on the frame 

 and light, tilt the glass a little, and when the great 

 heat is abated, put on some dry, rich, and fine, but 

 not very light earth, to the thickness of four or five 

 inches all over; and the next day, if the mould is 

 not too hot, sow the seed, some in the beds, and some 

 in pots, placed just in the middle, which may be 

 drawn up out of the way of any burning heat. 



When the plants appear, give them air, and be- 

 ware of rancid steam from the glasses dropping oa 

 them : They may be wiped with a woollen cloth, or 

 turned to dry in fine weather. Consider what was 

 said about cucumbers, concerning too much heat, too 

 little, &c. After the melons have been up two or 

 three days, (as was said before) let them be potted 

 and plunged to the rims, towards the middle of the 

 bed ; and the next day, a little water (warmed ia 

 the bed) may be given the roots ; or a little may be 

 given at the same time, if the mould is found quite 

 dry. 



As soon as the plants are pot ted, think of making 



