228 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



ception, not the rule. In some cases these early crops 

 are produced in pots. January and February may be 

 more generally named as the times at which melon - 

 culture even in melon-houses is commenced. All other 

 things being equal, those which are started then ripen 

 fruit in May and June, before which time the flavour 

 of melons is only second-rate. Later in the season 

 they of course come to maturity in less time. 



The remarks which have already been made regard- 

 ing the ripening of the fruit need not be repeated here. 

 Only I would just observe, that I do not practise the 

 excessive drying at the root system in summer crops 

 which is sometimes followed. I give more air, and 

 allow the light to play freely about the fruit, but avoid 

 starving them. Even if it did improve the flavour, 

 such treatment would be against other fruits which 

 have not just arrived at the finishing-point. And it 

 is indispensable to quality in melons that the foliage 

 be preserved intact till they perfect their crop. 



When grown trained to wires thus, the fruit should 

 be supported as soon as they show that there is an 

 undue strain upon the stem. This is an unnatural 

 attitude for melons, and they require support. I pre- 

 fer small square pieces of common garden-net or hexa- 

 gon netting with a piece of cord, or, what is better, an 

 elastic band at each corner, so that as the fruit ex- 

 pands the support yields. Square pieces of porcelain 

 have been used and recommended for this, but I have 

 discontinued them, because moisture gathers more or 

 less about the crown of the melon when it rests on 

 such supports, and disfigures it. This does not apply 

 to netting. 



