30 MARKET NURSERY WORK 



to find that anything very positive has been decided as to the 

 relative advantages of either. 



There is not much of this ultra-intensive cultivation of the 

 melon done in England, for we are quite content on the whole 

 if our first crop ripens in May. Neither do we limit our plants 

 to the one or two fruits each. Nor do we often grow them in 

 pots except under exceptional circumstances, preferring to 

 give the plants a less restricted root run for the production of a 

 larger number of fruits. We prefer to grow on banks or mounds 

 of prepared compost placed upon stages not far removed from 

 the glass and where it can be thoroughly warmed. Our melon 

 houses do not call for large spans, seeing that the growth of the 

 plants is more or less restricted. Long rafters would neither 

 be economic of space nor of heat, for this crop is not allowed 

 to grow on and on like the cucumber. Indeed, so far as our 

 experience goes, a low house with movable lights, a sunk path 

 and raised benches make the most economical structure for 

 melon growing, providing ample provision is made for light, 

 warmth and drainage. These three form the tripod on which 

 successful melon growing is based, whether it be in the hothouse, 

 the intermediate house, or the pit Light, warmth, drainage. 



For earliest work the seed should be sown with the new year, 

 one seed in a small pot, plunged in a temperature of 60. 

 Cover it with glass until the seedling comes through the soil. 

 It will be a month before the young plant can be potted on into 

 a large 60 or a 54, after which it should stand a few more days 

 in the propagating pit. The last week in February should see 

 it standing on the open stage, hardening and strengthening 

 itself preparatory to being planted out. Meanwhile the bank 

 of compost has been prepared, composed chiefly of chopped, 

 turfy loam, with well-rotted cow manure and leaf soil added to 

 it in minor proportions. Efficient drainage has, of course, 

 been provided. The compost must be well firmed and the top 

 of the bank must show no saucer-like depression, but be at its 

 highest around the stem of the plant, for there is such a thing 

 as " rotting at the collar." This is an important point. Water 

 must be encouraged to retreat from the stem of the plant quickly. 

 When planting observe that point. Turn the plants out of their 



