AND GENERAL CROPS OF MELONS. 271 



When the bed has become of a regular kind 

 heat, bring in more earth, laying it first near the 

 sides of the frame to get warm ; then apply it 

 round the hills where the plants are, likewise 

 adding more on the surface of the bed between 

 the hills, and by two or three earthings, by 

 degrees the whole should be earthed up even 

 with the top of the hills, and at each earthing 

 press the mould down close ; for by having the 

 soil made tolerably firm and of the depth recom- 

 mended, it will be sufficient to nourish the plants 

 without much watering, particularly when the 

 soil is of a loamy nature. Nevertheless, moderate 

 waterings will be necessary at times, when the 

 earth becomes dry ; it should be given generally 

 at a distance from the plants, but this should be 

 very moderate indeed while the fruit is setting, 

 and also while ripening, for while in a young 

 state, if watered too abundantly, it will cause the 

 fruit to turn yellow and decay, and when ap- 

 proaching to maturity, it will retard its ripening 

 and injure its flavour ; therefore never water over 

 the fruit while in a very young state, but apply 

 the water between the runners of the plants, 



