284 MELONS IN OILED-PAPER FRAMES. 



linseed oil ; this may be done with a soft paint- 

 ing brush, using the oil on the outside only, and 

 that but lightly; when this has become thorough- 

 ly dry, the frames will be fit for use. 



Although the oiled-'paper will be sufficiently 

 water-proof to resist the rain, and keep off the 

 cold; it will form an agreeable shade for the 

 plants, during the scorching rays of the sun in 

 the height of summer, and through which pro- 

 tection the plants thrive exceedingly, and pro- 

 duce good crops of fruit, from the end of July 

 till the beginning of October. After the frame 

 has been placed over the plants, admit air every 

 fine day by opening the side pannels of the 

 frame, or if no pannels were made to open, raise 

 the frame a few inches at bottom, and as occa- 

 sion may require, give moderate waterings when 

 the earth is dry, but be very moderate while 

 the fruit is setting and ripening, for the reasons 

 assigned for early crops. 



I may here remark that in very heavy rains 

 or hail storms, which sometimes occur in the 

 height of summer, it will be advantageous to 

 spread mats over the frames, not only to pre- 



