^76 TREATMENT OF MELONS IN BLOOM. 



contains the farina ; apply this to the centre of 

 the female, to discharge some of the farina 

 therein, and then withdraw the male part. 



The male and female flowers are both pro- 

 duced on the same plant, the female always 

 showing the young fruit at the base of the 

 flower. As the fruit sets and begins to swell, 

 either pinch off the runner to the third joint, or 

 turn the point of the runner inwards. This will 

 assist the young fruit to swell, by directing the 

 nourishment of the plant more effectually to it ; 

 also as the fruit sets and begins to swell, place a 

 piece of tile underneath each, to keep it from 

 rotting, which, if neglected, it will frequently do, 

 through the moisture arising from the earth ; 

 and if one or two fruit can be procured on each 

 runner it will be sufficient, particularly when 

 fine fruit is the prevailing consideration. 



INSTRUCTIONS FOR RENEWING THE HEAT OF 

 THE HOTBED BY LININGS. 



Par. 54. It is necessary, in all stages of the 

 hotbed, to occasionally examine the heat, with 

 the view to support a proper temperature ; there- 



