LATE CROPS OF MELONS. 279 



runner also. In the morning, before the heat of 

 the day, is the most preferable time for cutting 

 the melons, while they are cool and fresh, as 

 they are considered to eat with a more rich and 

 agreeable flavour : lay them in a cool dry place, 

 till they are required for table. 



If melons are cut before too ripe, they will 

 keep good for several days, when any particular 

 occasion may render it desirable. 



LATE CROPS OF MELONS UNDER HAND-GLASSES, 

 ETC. 



Par. 56. Good late crops of melons may be 

 produced in August, September, and October, 

 in fine dry seasons, by being ridged out on hot- 

 beds, under hand-glasses, raising the plants in a 

 frame hotbed, by sowing the seed in March 

 or beginning of April, where they should remain 

 three or four weeks, till they have produced two 

 or three rough leaves. Then at the end of April 

 or beginning of May, ridge them out on large 

 hotbeds prepared for the purpose under hand- 

 glasses, at three or four feet apart, along the 

 middle of the bed. About the end of May, or 



