THE MELON. 22$ 



consequently more water is required, and the neces- 

 sity for thorough soakings when it is supplied is more 

 urgent. Except perhaps in the height of summer, 

 two or three good waterings, with the ordinary sprink- 

 lings before the fruit are set, and as many after that 

 stage, are sufficient to bring the crop to maturity. As 

 soon as the crop is set, I always mulch the surface of 

 the bed with rather more than 1 inch of short manure, 

 to prevent evaporation and the bed from cracking, and 

 to nourish the crop. This is in all respects preferable 

 to more frequent watering. After the fruit are all 

 set, manure -water made of sheep or cow manure, 

 applied alternately with guano at the rate of an ounce 

 to every gallon of water, is beneficial. 



TEMPERATURE AND SYRINGING. 



The bottom-heat should range from 80 to 85, 

 the temperature of the air in early spring at 70 at 

 night, and be raised to 75 when the weather becomes 

 more genial, and less fire-heat is required to keep the 

 temperature up. With the sun-heat by day, a rise of 

 10 to 15 may be allowed. The moisture of the air 

 must be regulated according as the weather is bright 

 or dull ; when bright, with frosty nights, the moisture 

 must be greater than when dull, and sufficient to pre- 

 vent the atmosphere from feeling dry on entering the 

 house. Except when the plants are in bloom and set- 

 ting, gentle syringings are more frequently required in 

 melon -houses than in frames; and every afternoon, 

 when the day is bright, and a maximum of air has 

 been admitted, a gentle syringing is very refreshing 

 to them. In the morning the walls and paths should 

 be damped, but not the .plants themselves, as under 



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