Ctt. 6.] MELONS. 129 



are very definitive of the plants and 

 fruit. 



As the fruit approach to maturity, keep 

 the plants moderately thin of leaves, none 

 of which fuffer to fhade them from the 

 fun, and give large portions of air, which 

 will add much to their flavour. 



Melons ihould be kept regularly and mo- 

 derately thin of vines and foliage at all 

 times, fhould be frequently looked over, 

 and fhould never be pruned too mucli at a 

 time, as thereby the plants would be much 

 exhaufted, being apt to bleed at every 

 bruife or inciiion. 



Melons fhould be cut the moment they 

 are ripe, otherwife they lofe much of 

 their flavour : this, in moft kinds, is better 

 known by the fmell than colour of the 

 fruit; 



Many of the early kinds, and if early 

 fown, will produce a fecond crop, equal, 

 both in quantity and quality to the firft. 

 For this purpoie, after the firfl crop is all 

 cut, the vines fhould be fhortened back to 

 the laft live-joint on each, the bed fhould 

 be well-watered, and fhaded from the mid- 

 day fun, for eight or ten days ; by which 



I time 



