MELONS 33 



this, we are no great advocates of preparations of any kind, 

 pinning ourselves to the use of natural manures as liquid and as 

 mulching. No feeding is necessary when the melons have 

 attained full size they ripen better without it ; but we do 

 emphatically insist upon feeding throughout the swelling period. 

 We make no choice of varieties. They come and go. The 

 favourites of this season are probably obsolete two seasons 

 hence, and with melons, as with other things, no object can be 

 served in making any selection. Standard varieties always 

 speak for themselves like good wine, " they need no bush," 

 and it is usually a good plan to pin our faith to them. 



