SECT. xiv. OF RAISING MELONS* 207 



The planting of melons takes place as soon as the 

 hills of mould are warm through ; only if a violent 

 heat is in the bed a day or two's delay does not sig- 

 nify, if the plants are doing well where they are ; 

 yet the roots must not be cramped longer in the pots 

 than necessary- Melons require a greater depth of 

 mould to grow in than cucumbers, and the bottom 

 of the roots, at planting, should not be nearer than 

 five or six inches from the dung. Shade them from 

 much sun, till they have taken root 



If the lights are small, one plant under each is 

 sufficient, and if large, let there be only two ; for 

 melons require much room. It is a great error in 

 the cultivation of melons not to allow it them. Earth 

 the plants up with dry mould about the shanks as 

 they proceed in growth, and bend them gently down 

 with pegs, to give them a regular and snug direction 

 all over the bed. When fruit is set, there must be 

 only one of the large, and two of the small sorts, 

 (fair and promising) left on each principal runner, 

 and this runner should be pinched off at the second, 

 or rather the third joint above it, which is called 

 stopping them. 



Pruning is necessary, in order to strengthen the 

 bearers, and keep the frame from getting too full of 

 vine, e. let all very strong, and all weak shoots be 

 taken out, as also the tendrils ; but take care that too 

 many male blossoms are not thus cut off, for the weak 

 shoots (if not abundant) do no great harm : As ia 

 other plants, so in melons, it is the middling shoots 

 that bear fruit the best, and are to be preserved. 



Train the branches all regular (in time) with neat 

 pegs, for it hurts melon plants to lie rude, and to 

 have their leaves disturbed or damaged, to put them 

 in order. A piece of tile, or a small earthen plate, 

 under each fruit, is proper, to keep it from the damp 

 toould, and to assist its ripening by reflected heat. 



