72 buist's family kitchen gardener. 



earlier ; this is what gardeners call " topping," which strength- 

 ens the vines. Draw earth around their stems to support 

 them from the wind ; when they begin to run, they require no 

 further assistance, except it may be to thin out the shoots 

 where they become too crowded and confused. Hoe and stir 

 up the soil, and keep clear of weeds. As no garden should 

 have a foot square of lost ground, crop between these hills. 

 Valentine, or Snap-Short Beans, is very suitable. Three 

 sorts sown now will be off the ground in June and July, be- 

 fore the Melon vines occupy the whole. This plant, with the 

 Cucumber, is very subject to be attacked with a yellow striped, 

 or black bug. We are not yet aware of an infallible remedy, 

 but a dusting of soot or wood ashes will retard their progress 

 till the plants begin to grow freely. If they are thus attacked 

 as soon as the vines show their rough leaves, it would be im- 

 prudent to top the plants, as it stops their growth, and the 

 insect would then entirely overcome them. 



Melons may be forced, in the same way as directed for the 

 Cucumber, when it can be conveniently done, and to my taste 

 it is a preferable plant ; the finer sorts, that will not bear the 

 open exposure of rain and heat, should be sown, such as the 

 Grreen-fleshed and Kock Melons. Some of the latter, and as 

 fine as any I ever saw, took the first premium at the New Jersey 

 Horticultural Society, at Princeton, the past season. They were 

 from the garden of A. H. Stevens, Esq., of Hoboken, and did 

 great credit to the grower. When grown under glass, the 

 sash should have a very thin mat thrown over it, from eleven 

 to two o'clock, and from the middle of April till the fruit is all 

 cut ; and although the leaves may droop, it is not always a sign 

 that the plant is in want of moisture. It is not advisable to 

 pour the water round the neck of the plant — a very common 

 practice and a very inconsistent one ; the extremity of the 

 roots and leaves are the absorbing organs of the plant : sup- 

 ply the former by watering the soil, and the latter by frequent 



