I3O THE FORCING GARDENER* [B. I, 



time the plants will begin tt> pufh and 

 ihpw fruit in abundance. Second crops 

 may alfo be obtained by layers ; and they 

 will 'produce very well by cuttings. But 

 in following this latter method, a moderate 

 heat fhould be prepared, in another bed, 

 wherein to firike and grow the plants. 



Melon feed ought to be perfectly ripen- 

 ed before fowing, by being kept in a dry 

 place, or worn in the pocket ; but it is 

 fafeft not to fow it till a year old, and 

 it will keep frefh for feven or eight. If 

 the feed is not perfectly ripened, and faved 

 from fruit which is alfo fo, the plants pro- 

 duced by it will not be fruitful, running 

 much to vines and male-bloomy and any 

 fruit which may be fhown are apt to drop 

 away. 



It is pretty generally underftood by gar- 

 deners, that melons, like moft exotic annual 

 plants, degenerate, if they are cultivated in 

 the fame foil for any confiderable kngth of 

 time. Hence it becomes neeeflary, either 

 to change or improve the foil', or to ex- 

 change the feeds. But the value of good 

 kinds, particularly of the early forts, when 



once 



