SOILS FOR GROWING MELONS. 261 



round, oblong, oval, smooth- rind, depressed, 

 ribbed, netted, carbuncled, mostly red fleshed, 

 and some green fleshed, &c. } the whole of the 

 varieties producing a rich and highly esteemed 

 table fruit when ripe ; the young green fruit is 

 also used for mangoes. 



SOILS PROPER FOR GROWING MELONS. 



Par. 47. The compost for growing melons in, 

 should be prepared in the autumn, prior to its be- 

 ing used, or at least some considerable time before 

 it is wanted, in order that it may be well mixed, 

 and in proper condition to receive the young 

 plants; for this purprse take half or two-thirds 

 of rich light surface loam, dug fresh from a com- 

 mon or pasture field, the remainder of thorough- 

 ly rotted dung from old hotbeds, and rich garden 

 mould, in about equal proportions; or if a part 

 is rotten cow-dung, it will prove beneficial: those 

 should be all thoroughly mixed together in a 

 heap or ridge where it is exposed to the sun, 

 rains, &c., turning it over three or four times to 

 well break, and cause it the more effectually to 

 mix ; and before placing it in the frames, take 



