of INSECTS, &c. 339 



Oj the Acarus on Melons. 



As we are now treating of insects, although it 

 may look like a departure from my original plan, I 

 hope that some instructions for destroying the red 

 spider on Melons will not be unacceptable. 



Melons, in dry weather, and with a dry heat, are 

 very apt to be infested with the red spider ; and 

 you may always observe the symptoms long before 

 you can see these insects with the naked eye, by 

 the leaves curling and cracking in the middle. 

 Whenever you observe them in that state, in fine 

 warm sunny weather, I would recommend water- 

 ing them all over the leaves from a watering pot 

 with a rose, or an engine, about six in the morn- 

 ing 5 and about eight o'clock shade them with 

 mats, if the sun shines, and shut the frames close 

 down till about eleven ; then admit a small quan- 

 tity of air, letting the mats remain till about three 

 in the afternoon, when they should be taken off. 

 Shading with mats will prevent the leaves from be- 

 ing scorched by the sun while they are wet. If 

 the Wind be vSouth, or South- West, I should re- 

 commend watering them again about three in the 

 afternoon, shutting them up close to keep the heat 

 in, which will cause a strong exhalation, and des- 

 troy the spiders, as they by no means love mois- 

 ture. In watering, throw as much as possible on 

 the underside of the leaves, where the insect gene- 

 rally lodges ; the vines may be gently turned, tak^ 

 ing very great care not to hurt them j by which 



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