HAY.] 359 



MAY, 



WORK TO BE DONE IN THE KITCHEN-GARDEN". 



Early Melons and Cucumbers, 



THE early melons will now shew fruit abundantly ; they must 

 have plenty of air, and protection from the mid-day sun ; for a few 

 hours sunshine at this season, if the glasses were close shut, would 

 destroy the whole crop. The lights should be taken off, and the 

 plants fully exposed to the open air, about the twentieth or towards 

 the end of the month ; therefore, the plants ought to be previously 

 and gradually innured thereto. Should the beds happen to be great- 

 ly declined in heat, about the first of this month, a fresh lining of 

 hot dung ought to be applied; for at this period of their fruiting, a 

 brisk bottom heat is necessary to the free swelling of the fruit. 

 The advantage of this, will soon appear very evident. A slight 

 covering ought to be kept over the glasses every night, till about 

 the tenth of the month, after which, they will need it no longer ; 

 these should be taken off early every morning, for light, and plenty 

 of air, will now be absolutely necessary. 



According as the melons set, place a piece of board or shingle 

 under each fruit ; this will preserve them from the damp of the 

 earth. 



About the middle of the month the frames may be raised, by 

 means of any kind of support at the corners, and the plants be suf- 

 fered to run out under them, and by the end thereof, you may take 

 them totally away. 



A regular supply of water will be very necessary; and although 

 melons do not require as much of it as cucumbers, yet a sufficiency 

 must be given. 



The early cucumbers, will now be in full fruiting, and will re- 

 quire plenty of air and water ; they may be fully exposed to the 

 open air, in the middle states, about the twentieth of the month, and 

 in the eastern states, about the end thereof. 



Making Hot-bed Ridges for Cucumbers and Melons. 



The cucumbers and melons, which were sown last month, or 

 late in March, may in the first week of this, be planted in hot-bed 

 ridges, as directed in page 305 ; or, the seeds may be sown there- 

 on, in the following manner. 



The ridges being made and earthed as directed in April, page 

 305, mark out the holes for the seed, four feet asunder, and in form 

 f a shallow bason, about an inch deep, and nine or ten inches wide. 

 In the middle of each, sow eight or nine seeds, and then put on bell 

 er hand-glasses. After the plants have been up ten or twelve days, 



