MELON. 171 



most other countries in the culture of the Can- 

 talupe melon ; but by the perseverance, skill, and 

 assiduity of the British and other gardeners oi the 

 united kingdoms, they not only emulated the Dutch, 

 but at last excelled them in the culture of this fine 

 fruit. The following was the author's method of 

 practice ; and at that time there were but few better, 

 though no doubt many equally good : 



Before entering on the general culture of this 

 fruit, the few following hints may- be of service to 

 the amateur and the young horticulturist, and 

 which will hereafter render a repetition unneces- 

 sary. 



The first is that in the old school of gardening 

 (uhich should be noticed in the new), much 

 stress was laid on the genuineness of the seed, by 

 keeping the different sorts as distinct as possible. 

 For should an impregnation take place (which cer- 

 tainly does in the different varieties of the same 

 species), though it may not change the nature of 

 the fruit, it certainly alters its taste and flavour. 



The second is the age of the seed, which should 

 not be less than two years old ; for though it has 

 been known to grow to five times that age, it has 

 then been observed to diminish in strength. By 

 some authors new seed has been advised to be 

 sown ; but this advice could only be meant in cases 

 of emergency, when older seed of the same variety 

 could not be had. Three or four years is the 

 utmost age that is advised for the seed to be kept 

 to grow strong plants. 



The third the mould, and if not such as has 

 been recommended, the best the kitchen-garden 



