SECT. XIV. OF RAISING MELONS. 209 



an over hot state, which the sun would greatly 

 increase. 



Melons may be watered moderately once a weekj 

 in fair weather, or twice if sultry, especially if the 

 mould is light. Early in the season, water a little 

 before noon, and in high summer a little before 

 evening. When the fruit is setting, and when get- 

 ting towards ripening, very little water must be given : 

 be sure to water the extremities of the roots, but 

 avoid the shanks of plants while they are young. A 

 little sprinkling with a small pot all over the leaves, 

 when the plants get big, (but let not a hot sun shine 

 upon them at the time) will greatly refresh them, 

 when it is not thought proper to water the roots tho- 

 roughly, on account of the bed being cool. Because 

 much wet is certainly injurious, some gardeners keep 

 their melons exceeding dry ; but their leaves should 

 not shew too much sign of drought, lest the fruit 

 shrivel for want of moisture. Take care that the 

 heat is kept up at the setting of the fruit, or it uill 

 become yellow, and fall off. Preserve a good bot- 

 tom heat till about Mid- June. 



Melons should not be turned so much about, as is 

 the practice of some gardeners, in order to ripen the 

 fruit all over ; for it hurts the footstalk, distorting 

 its vessels that feed the melon, and so preventing a 

 proper digestion of the juices, and some increase of 

 size. 



They&nwwr of a melon being preferable to the size, 

 is the reason why water is to be withheld (as much 

 as can be) when they are ripening : with it they will 

 become bigger, and so appear finer; but what is 

 quantity without quality? 



The jQu&gfruit need not be fully exposed to the 

 sun ; it had better be a little covered with leaves, for 

 much hot sun hardens the skin, and prevents its pro- 



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