340 OF INSECTS, &C. 



means you can easily throw the water all over the 

 underside of the leaf; which must be done in a 

 gentle shower from the engine, or from a watering- 

 pot with a rose, so as not to wash up the mould on 

 the plants : at the same time throw great plenty of 

 water on the lights and sides of the boxes. After 

 you have done watering, lay the Vines gently down 

 again in their former position. If a sunny day, let 

 the mats remain as before directed until the leaves 

 of the plants are perfectly dry, admitting air ac- 

 cording to the heat of the day. 



Before the frames and lights are used, I would 

 recommend washing them well, both inside and 

 out ; first, with clean water, and then with soap- 

 suds and urine mixed ; using a brush or woollen 

 rag in the washing ; this will kill the eggs of the 

 spiders and other insects that may have been depo- 

 sited the preceding season. 



When the ridges are fit for putting the mould on 

 for the hills to plant the Melons in, it should be 

 from a foot to fifteen inches deep, and the rest of 

 the bed should be covered with light mould, or 

 rotten leaves, about one inch deep to keep down 

 the steam. Take care not to make the hills too 

 broad at first (a wheel-barrow full and a half will 

 be enough for one hill), and observe that the heat 

 is not too great, which will burn the mould and 

 the roots of the plants. You will know, when the 

 beds are of a fine temperate heat, from sticks stuck 

 in at different parts of the bed, by the feel of 



