HORTICULTURE. 





about four feet wide, and six feet in length : but some- 

 times they are made eight feet in length, by three 

 feet wide. 



58. In some places, pits are built with brick in the 

 following manner. After the size of the glass-covers 

 is fixed upon, and supposing that a three light pit i-i 

 intended, the brick work is made 3 feet C inches deep 

 on the fore-side, and 4 feet 6 inches or 5 feet on the 

 back ; the bottom part all around, to the height of 2 

 feet 6 inches, is built with small openings, the more 

 numerous the better ; for this purpose no mortar is 

 ued in this part of the building ; but above it, mortar 

 d; the walls are the thickness of brick on bed. 

 (f three such pits be required, they are placed one in 

 front of another, at the distance of three feet : the whole 

 is surrounded with a wall, the top of which is six 

 inches higher than the open building of the pits, and 

 so far sunk as that the height may not appear offensive 

 to the eye. The pit i< filled with tanner? bark or tree- 

 leave* to a little above the open building, and covered 

 with earth as in the common way ; and the vacant 

 space around the outside of the pit, to a little above 

 the open building, is filled with stable-dung, or with 

 weeds, in the season when these are to be had ; for 

 either of them, in fermenting, produces a sufficient de- 

 gree of heat. When the beat of this lining is abated, 

 and when a continuance of increased temperature i* 

 required, the exhausted matter is removed, and a new 

 lining supplied. It may be proper to add, that the 

 eave of each pit should have a small spout to carry off 

 the water, otherwise the lower side of the bed is apt to 

 become too damp. 



he earth on the bed a first, a hillock 

 Ige is fanned in the middle, somewhat more than a 

 the covering in all other parts of the bed not 

 exceeding two inches in lhickn**. In the beginning 

 of March the young plant* are transferred thither with 

 great care, the breaking of the fibre* or bruising of the 

 roots being very detrimental. Some are for transplant- 

 ing a* soon as may be, after the unfolding of the third 

 leaf, or in other word* the first true or rough leaf; 

 but the more general plan is, to allow two or three 

 of the rough leave* to shew themselves before trans- 

 planting. Others put the plants in separate flower- 

 pots for a few wreks, and afterwards tarn them out 

 with all the earth attached, into the melon frame. One 

 plant to each light i generally sufficient, especially of 

 tne cantalcupe, or larger melon* ; but most cultivator* 



Kt wo plant* ; and some even crowd three under each 

 When four leaves arc expanded, the top is by many 

 pinched off, in order to promote the setting oat of la- 

 teral aboot* or runner* ; but some al'ow the first shoot* 

 to extend the length of five or * joint* before tloppng 



tlMD. / 



*"** 



nate shoots, 



all shoots that are either very luxuriant or very weak 

 are equally nsslsis, and may be removed. A few reed 

 stalks are often spread thinly over the surface of the 

 beds, for the shoots to run upon. 



When the plants have established themselves, earth 

 gradually added, and pressed dose down till the 

 other part* of the bed be almost on a level with the 

 spots on which the plant* are situated. This thick 

 layer of earth ha* one great advantage ; it render* very 



watering necessary. When water i* givi 

 should scarcely touch the leaves. The heat is regulated 

 by keeping a Fahrenheit's thermometer within the 

 frame , which should as nearly a* possible indicate 70>. 

 If the bed* be in good heat, the frame* are generally 



n te engt o ve or sx onts eore floppng 



Afterward* the points of these lateral shoot* are 



d off, to encourage the pMtng forth of subordi- 



oots, from which trait M to be looked for. Bat 



filled with runners in six weeks, and by this time the 

 roots will have extended to the extremities of the beds. 

 Linings are now added ; and these being covered with 

 soil, well trodden down, the roots penetrate into it, and 

 thence draw additional nourishment ; while, at the same 

 time, the linings assist greatly in keeping up the heat. 



260. As there is little opportunity under a glass- 

 frame for the wind to perform its part in conveying the 

 pollen, careful gardeners generally assist by taking oft 

 some fully expanded male flowers, and laying them or 

 shaking them over the female flowers, which are si- 

 tuated on the crown of the embryo fruit. Even with- 

 out fecundation, fruit will be produced ; but it never ac 

 quires perfection, and the seed* of such fruit will not ger* 

 minate. The different varieties of melons, it may be re- 

 marked, should not only be kept in distinct frames, but. 

 if possible, at some distance from each other, to lessen 

 the chance of the pollen of one kind accidentally reach- 

 ing the stigma of another. One fruit is selected on each 

 princi|wl runner, preferring that which is nearer the 

 stem or has the thickest footstalk ; this is encouraged 

 while the rest are picked oft. If the melon be a small- 

 sized variety, sometimes two are permitted on a shoot. 

 It is a general rule not to leave more than four or five 

 fruit on each plant, if of the larger kinds ; or eight or 

 ten, if of the smaller. A more correct way of et>tim:i- 

 ting, perhaps, is to allow each plant only to carry 20lb. 

 or 301b. weight of fruit. It may be mentioned, thai 

 where late melons are wanted, an easy way to procure- 

 plants is to take some of the superfluous shoots of i...- 

 first crop ; for the plant grows freely by cutt : 



If water be now given, it should be introduced with- 

 out touching the stems, leaves, or fruit ; it is seldom 

 needed more than once a week, even in dry and warm 

 weather. Great attention i* requisite in allowing the 

 plants free air as often as possible. Some have contri- 

 ved Ixrnt til) pipes, connecting with the open air, and 

 passing through the body of dung, by means <>i' whii.li 

 a current of slightly warmed air is introduced even in 

 the worst weather. When the weather happen* to be 

 very cold, mat* are laid over the frames. 



861. In the southern parts of Britain, melons are also 

 raised on hot-bed*. The plants are at first under hand, 

 glasses; but the shoots or runners are allowed to spread 

 mm under the glass, ami cover the hot-bed a* the 

 season advance*. The bed* are hooped over, and 

 when heavy rain* threaten, they are closely covered 

 with mata. Frames of oiled paper answer very well for 



pal transparency. 

 > excellently adapted for the pur- 



This leather-paper se 

 pose. 



A niece of clean tile is introduced below each fruit ; 

 and during the course of its swelling, it is not uncom- 

 mon to turn it gently once a week, that both side* may 

 be. equally exposed to the sun's rays. But it should not 

 be ot'tener turned, for fear of twisting and injuring the 

 fruit- stalk, and so preventing the conveyance of nou- 

 rishment through it. At this time very little watrr i 

 given. dryness tending to heighten the flavour, and air i* 

 as freely admitted a* the weather will permit. When the 

 leave* press against the glass, the frame is raised two 

 or three inches ; but leaves should never be cut when 

 it can possibly be avoided. Niiol recommends the re- 

 moving of those which shade the fruit ; but it is doubt- 

 ful whether the advantage arising from the additional 

 nun- light thus acquired, will counterbalance the detri- 

 ment occasioned by the loss of leaves, these being organs 



Pnut 

 Garden. 



Melon. 



