110 VEGECULTURE 



pruning. The first consideration is plenty of space for each 

 plant. When two rough leaves have been produced, the shoot 

 is pinched out, resulting in the formation of a couple of side- 

 shoots ; these, after half a dozen leaves have appeared, are 

 again pinched. No further interference with the growth of 

 the plants is needed, until the fruits are formed ; and then, 

 allowing one fruit only to remain, the shoot should be pinched 

 just above this fruit. It is a procedure of careful selection of 

 useful and removal of superfluous growth, remembering that 

 too much cutting induces disease, and overcrowding destroj's 

 fruiting. The rules governing the watering of Melon plants 

 are principally upon the lines of never allowing dryness at the 

 root ; a light syringeing over the foliage once or twice daily 

 this latter principally to keep red spider away ; an extra supply 

 when flowers are forming ; and thereafter just sufficient moisture 

 provided to keep the plants growing healthily. When trained 

 to rafters, the vines must be given support to bear the strain 

 of the heavy fruits. 



As this delicious fruit is now a great favourite with growers 

 of all classes, there is no reason why the amateur should not 

 succeed with a few plants, though these can hardly be grown 

 in an ordinary greenhouse ; they require a slightly higher tem- 

 perature, with a limitation of air, and a constantly moist atmos- 

 phere during the early stages, at any rate. If there is no 

 proper bed, they may be grown in pots, or even in good-sized 

 boxes ; but the drainage must be very free, and the soil be 

 pressed quite firm. During the early stages, the general treat- 

 ment is somewhat similar to that for Cucumbers, but rather 

 less heat is necessary, and the plants should not be syringed, 

 nor the place damped down, quite as heavily as for Cucumbers. 

 When watering, the moisture must always be kept away from 

 the neck or collar of each plant, for, if this part is frequently 

 wetted, canker is very liable to set in. If the plants are grown 

 upon a mound of soil, this trouble will be avoided. An im- 

 portant point in the culture of this subject is the fertilization 

 of the fruit-blossoms, when expanded, for the Melon is one of 

 those plants that require to have its fruits " set " artificially. 

 This is done by transferring the pollen from one or more of the 

 male or barren flowers, with a small, soft brush, on to the 

 stigmas of the female or fruit-bearing blossoms. The work 

 should be done about the middle of a bright, warm day, with a 

 rather dry atmosphere prevailing, and all the fruits wanted 

 on each plant usually five to eight must be " set " at one 



