118 PIGTOBIAL PBAOTIGAL FRUIT GUOWING. 



to be loose, the bloom should be picked off and thrust into the centre of the 

 fruiter. 



It is a common mistake to have too many Melons on a plant. Generally 

 four fruits are enough if fine specimens are wanted, and the number ought 

 not to exceed six. I am afraid that this is one of the gardening rules more 

 honoured in the breach than in the observance. 



It facilitates a good set to provide a brisk bottom heat, give only just 

 sufficient water to prevent flagging, and maintain a warm, dry atmosphere. 

 Pollen is then plentiful. The flowers should be fertilised daily, and when 

 the fruit is seen to be swelling the shoots ought to be stopped one joint 

 beyond the fruit. Afterwards add a top-dressing of warm soil, give water as 

 needed, and syringe gently. 



Bearing on the question of watering is that of canker, which frequently 

 attacks the collar, or point of junction between stem and roots, and causes 

 failure. In all cases the soil should be sloped from the stem Instead of 

 towards it, so that water may not lodge round the collar. If canker should 

 show itself rub some lime and soot well into the collar. 



There is no better compost for Melons than fresh, fibrous loam, with a 

 pint of superphosphate or bone meal to each bushel, although I should use 

 a third part of leaf mould for the seed pots. 



Successions may be had by making periodical sowings from the first 

 week in January, in all cases allowing about five weeks to get plants ready 

 for putting out. With a temperature of 65° to 70° at night, rising 5° to 

 10° by day, it is generally possible to get ripe fruit in about four months. 

 Liquid manure helps the plants when they are swelling their fruit. 



Itis rather an invidious business to single out sorts, but I think it may 

 be said that although getting on in years Countess, Hero of Lockinge, and 

 Read's Scarlet-flesh still hold their own. The two first have white flesh, and 

 both have excellent flavour to recommend them. Blenheim Orange is worth 

 mentioning as thriving with less heat than the majority, and Syon House 

 (page 117) is excellent. 



CDapter XVll.-nuts. 



I HOPE that no apology is needed for introducing into this series a short 

 chapter on Nuts. The Nut is accepted as a fruit, and it has a recognised 

 position as such in the markets, yet most fruit books ignore it. I do not 

 pretend that the Nat is an important fruit, for it is not ; but considering 

 that it is grown by the acre in some parts of Great Britain, and is cultivated 

 by not a few amateurs, there is room for a brief reference. 



In the first place, it may be pointed out that most of the cultivated 

 Nuts are varieties of the common Hazel, Gorylus Avellana. Thus the 

 popular Lambert Filbert becomes botanically Gorylus Avellana Lamberti 

 Nuts are spoken of variously as Nuts, Cobs and Filberts, and in case these 

 terms may cause doubt or confusion, it may be well to give the synopsis of 

 the " Fruit Manual." This makes four sections, the first being Filberts 

 which have oblong Nuts, with husks much longer than the fruit; the 

 second Spanish, with ovate Nuts, and husks as long as, or a Uttle longer 

 than, the fruit ; the third Gobs, with Nuts roundish and angular, and the 

 husks as long as, or a little longer than, the fruit ; the fourth Hazels, with 

 small, roundish, thick-shelled Nuts, and husks much shorter than the fruit. 

 {Continiied on page 122.) 



