92 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



discharged, and thus produces the fertilisation. A 

 fresh male blossom should be made use of for each 

 impregnation. 



As soon as this has been performed, the plants 

 begin to grow vigorously, and produce large quan- 

 tities of fruit. Great care should be taken to keep 

 the vines in good order, laying them out regularly, 

 and not permitting them to cross each other; if 

 wanted large and fine, it will be necessary to stop 

 beyond the fruit two or three joints. All the 

 withered and decayed leaves must be removed, as 

 well as any others, when too numerous or irregularly 

 placed. Attention must also be paid to the state of 

 the bed as regards the heat, water, and mould : if 

 the heat is kept a few degrees greater than usual, it 

 will promote the setting of the fruit. A double 

 quantity of earth may now be given, but still keep 

 an open space at the back and front, which in the 

 course of a fortnight or three weeks may be filled 

 up nearly to a level with the drills, &c. ; frequent 

 sprinklings of water should likewise be given from 

 the nose of the pot. Few plants require more of 

 this fluid than these, at this period of their growth. 



Should an additional heat be found necessary, 

 either the front or back lining can be worked up 

 anew, with the addition of some well-prepared horse- 

 dung, taking the same precaution as before alluded 

 to. After the plants are fully established, and the 

 fruit set in a growing state, but little air will be 

 necessary, except in very clear days, as the exces- 

 sive moisture which the plants imbibe, prevents the 

 ill effect it would have on plants of a different 

 nature. The setting the fruit should be continued 



