KITCHEN GARDEN. 197 



thus completely fulfilled, without any of the risk 

 which attends that operation, and with advantages 

 peculiar to this method ; since, wherever the plant 

 is buried, new roots are formed for the better nutri- 

 tion of the stem and the fruit. Melons should be 

 permitted to acquire a bulk not less than one inch 

 in diameter before you venture on reducing their 

 number, arid no reduction of the leaves should be 

 made at any time ; for from the size, number, and 

 thickness of these, and the smallness and little ex- 

 tension of the roots, it is evident that this plant de- 

 rives more of its nutriment from the atmosphere 

 than from the earth. If the weather be dry, multi- 

 ply the hoeings, but water sparingly, as many ex- 

 periments show that water alters the juices of the 

 fruit, and that, though it may augment its quantity, 

 it never fails to degrade its quality. The ripeness 

 of the muskmelon is known by its colour and its 

 odour, and by the drying of the stem where it at 

 taches itself to the fruit.* The watermelon fur- 

 nishes neither of these signs, but affords another 

 peculiar to itself, a hollow sound on being struck on 

 the rind, the result of an actual hollowness, begin- 

 ning and increasing with its maturity. The seeds 

 of both species are best preserved by drying in the 

 shade, and in a portion of their own juice. 



EGG PLANT. MELONGENA (Solanum Melongena of 

 Lin.). Of this plant the principal varieties are the 

 long purple and the long yellow, each of which 

 has a sub-variety which is round. Like other plants 

 of tropical origin, it requires a dry soil and warm 

 weather, and with these advantages grows vigor- 

 ously and bears abundantly. To have early plants, 

 sow the seeds in a hotbed towards the end of March, 

 and, as soon as the frosts are over, transfer the young 

 plants to the open ground and a southern exposure. 



* When fit to pick, the stem will separate from the fruit by a 

 gentle pressure of the thumb. It will be in best eating condi 

 tion the following day. J. B. 



R 2 



