May. The Gardeners Kalendar. 141 



roots and fmall tops, rejeding all fuch as arc 

 forked, or fliort rooted ; for which reafon it is, 

 that the moft curious gardeners never fave 

 feeds from fuch as remain where they were 

 fown, becaufe they cannot judge of the length 

 or goodnefs of their roots. 



The Cucumbers which are under frames, 

 and have not a fufficient depth of earth upon 

 the dung, muft be carefully fhaded with mats 

 in the heat of the day, for the fun is often too 

 violent at this feafon for thefe plants through 

 glafles ; but the Melon plants fhould be gradu- 

 ally hardened to bear the open air in the day 

 time in warm weather, for the greater fhare of 

 air they enjoy at this feafon, the better will the 

 fruit fet upon the Vines ; and where the earth 

 is laid of a proper thicknefs upon the dung, 

 the Vines will not hang down or droop their 

 leaves, but bear the fun well 5 for it is from the 

 fhallownefs of the earth on the beds, that the 

 Vines of Cucumbers and Melons are fo fre- 

 quently obferved to fhrink in hot weather, and 

 this alfo occafions their decay much fooner 

 than they would do, if their roots enjoyed a 

 proper depth and width of foil, for the roots of 

 thefe plants fpread as far in the ground, where 

 it is laid on the fide of the beds, as their Vines 

 extend on the furface -, fo that where the beds 



are 



