V 



Sect. XV. 5 



OF 



FRUITS 



43^ 



AET OP PRUNING MELONS AND CUCUMBERS 



When melon, cucumber, and gourd. 

 Their two firft rougher leaves afford. 

 Ere yet thefe fecond leaves advance 

 Wide as your nail their green expanfe; 

 Arm'd with fine knife, or fciffars good, 

 Bifeft or clip the central bud; 

 Whence many a lateral branch inftead 

 Shall rife like hydra's fabled head. 



When the fair belles in gaudy rows 

 Salute their vegetable beaux; 

 And, as they lofe their virgin bloom. 



Shew 

 Lop, 



•e it fwells, the pregnant womb 

 each crowded branch extends,. 



The barren flowers, and leafy ends. 

 So with (harp flings the bee-fwarm drives 

 Their ufelefs drones from autumn hives. 

 But if in frames your flowers confin'd 

 Feel not one breezy breath of wind. 

 Seek the tall males, and bend in air 

 Their diftant lovers to the fair; 

 Or pluck with fingers nice. 

 The genial pollen o'er their bed. 

 So fhall each happier plant unfold 



- ' 



and fhed 



BroliEc g 



and fruits of gold 



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sEcr< 



A 



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