MAY.] MELONS* 397 



of new vines, which will be very fruitful ; observing 

 to cut always at a joint of some promise, and to 

 thin out all decayed or unhealthy vines, dead leaves, 

 &c. Observe also, to cut at an inch or two above 

 the joint you expect to push, and then to bruise the 

 end of the stem so lopped, with the thumb and 

 finger ; which will, in a great measure, prevent it 

 from bleeding. 



The plants should be shaded from the mid-day 

 sun, for a week or ten days ; exposing them to his 

 full rays by degrees. Now also let the mould in 

 the frame be well watered, in order to put the roots 

 in a state of active vegetation ; point over the sur- 

 face, with a small stick, or little wedge ; and cover 

 the whole with about two inches of fresh mould. 

 This will greatly encourage the plants, and cause 

 them to make new fibres near the surface. At this 

 period, air need not be admitted very freely, espe- 

 cially while the glasses are covered ; but rather, as 

 it were, endeavour to force the plants into new life. 



After they begin to shoot, water, admit air, prune, 

 train, and otherwise manage the plants as before 

 directed. If the season be fine, they may yield you 

 a third crop, by a repetition of the above rules, 

 coming in in September, which might be very gra- 

 tifying. 



