176 FRUIT. 



great quantities from wanner countries, where it is cheaply- 

 grown in the open air. Like the Pine-apple, however, the 

 Melons grown in our hothouses much excel the impoi-ted fruit 

 in richness and high quality. 



As an exhibition fruit the Melon is highly esteemed, and 

 a well-grown specimen, in perfect condition, is a strong point 

 in a collection. It forms a handsome dish, and is a good 

 counterpart to the Pine-apple. Almost every competitor has 

 a favourite variety, which he cultivates with much diligence 

 and success ; and so much depends on the careful attention 

 paid to the saving of the seed, that a grower for competition 

 is, as a rule, better to save his own. Among the popular 

 varieties which have acquired a reputation for the exhibitor's 

 purpose are the following : — 



Green-fleshed Varieties. — Eastnor Castle, La Favorite, Longleat Pei- 



fectioD, and William Tillery. 

 i^carlet-fleshed. — Benhani Beauty, Hero of Bath, Read's Scarlet,and 



Sion House. 

 White-fleshed. — Colston Bassett, Hero of Lockinge, Lord Strathmore's 



Favourite, and The Countess. 



For the cultivation of the Melon to the highest state of per- 

 fection in this country, it must be grown in a glass-house 

 eiBciently heated by hot water. The best form of house is 

 a low lean-to or a half-span, facing south, so that it may receive 

 all the light and sunshine possible in our variable climate, 

 as without these two important elements the Melon is seldom 

 superior to a common gourd. The heating apparatus must be 

 able to suppljr an abundance of top and bottom heat, as may 

 be required by the Melons in all conditions of the weather. A 

 brick bed about 2 feet wide and 18 inches deep, well-drained, 

 and with a flow and return bottom-heat pipes beneath it, 

 should be formed along the front of the house, and as near to 

 the roof as is convenient for attending to and training the 

 plants to the wires, which should be fixed about 15 inches 

 from the glass, about 10 inches apart, and kept tight by 

 screwed bolts and nuts. 



The Melon delights in a strong mellovc loam, of a calcareous 

 nature, and enriched with decomposed vegetable matter. A 



