MELON-GROWING IN THE HOUSE 169 



ing specimens, but unfortunately with a decidedly watery flavor, so that I had 

 to discard it. 



Melons may be grown successfully in almost any style of house, as I have 

 said, for a few months in the Summer; but when they are to be grown both 

 Winter and Summer, it is well to secure the best house for the purpose. It is 

 not necessary to have a very large house, but a span roof is the best. I have 

 seen good fruit produced in an even span running east and west, but an even 

 span running north and south is much better, as the vines will then get more 

 even sunlight. A house about twelve to fourteen feet wide is sufficient; this 

 will give the vines head room enough, training them to trellis up each side. A 

 comparatively small house will be found advantageous in cold weather. A 

 veiy high house would not be advisable, as we have to maintain a minimum 

 temperature of not less than 70°. Occasionally, a visitor not acquainted with 

 the forcing process, on being taken through a melonhouse, has expressed sur- 

 prise to see the vines trained on trellises about fifteen inches from the glass, 

 which seems contrary to their natural trailing habits. But in growing fruit 

 artificially, methods must be adopted that will lead to success. As Melon fo- 

 liage evaporates considerable moisture, whether grown in the open air or under 

 glass, the forcing house will be charged with considerable humidity, and the 

 foliage will therefore reabsorb more. If the vines were allowed to trail inside, 

 as they do in their natural state outside, they would decay before the crop was 

 half ripe. 



Good soil is one of the chief requirements for success in Melon culture under 

 glass. With poor soil success is very uncertain. It is inviting failure to attempt 

 to grow this crop through the Winter with unsatisfactory soil. In the first place, 

 the compost should be such as to allow the roots to penetrate through the soil. 

 Keep lively root action from the time the plants are set in the bench until matur- 

 ity. It is easy to recommend a certain grade of soil, but it may be very difficult 

 to obtain the same in certain localities. A desirable compost is a fairly heavy 

 loam from old pasture land, which is friable rather than adhesive. This sod 

 land may be plowed about three inches deep and the sod staked in a pile a month 

 before it is needed; it will then be in good condition for use. If manure is added, 

 it should be done sparingly. It is not a good plan to use much farmyard manure 

 with Melon soil, though a little may be added that is thoroughly decayed. I 

 have also found leaf soil excellent to mix in with the compost, particularly when 

 the soil is a bit heavy. The compost should be such as to produce a healthy 

 root action. \\'hile there should be a fairly healthy, vigorous growth, nothing 

 is gained by vines that are too rank. A richer top dressing may be applied after 

 the fruit is set. 



Where Melons under glass are grown on a fairly extensive scale, there 

 should be three compartments. It will take about three months from the time 

 the seed is sown until the fruit is ripe, that is, from Spring until Fall. During 

 the Winter it will take longer for the crop to mature. Sometimes four months 

 are needed, especially with much cloudy weather. Considerable time may be 



