2l6 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



perature of the ridge of soil has risen to 80° or 85°, and 

 the plants are ready to plant as already referred to, let 

 them be carefully turned out of their pots, and planted 

 two in the centre of each light, if they are such as have 

 been stopped when young ; but if not stopped, two 

 every 2 feet apart, placing them sufficiently deep in 

 the soil to have the seed-leaves about half an inch clear 

 above the surface. If the loam is moderately moist, and 

 the weather dull, and less air required, it will not be 

 necessary to water the plants when planted, nor as long 

 as they appear to prosper satisfactorily without it. The 

 state of the weather must, however, determine this. If 

 the sun comes out brightly, and the plants show signs 

 of drooping when the necessary air is on, let them be 

 watered. Shading in all stages of melon-culture is an 

 evil which should only be resorted to when the grower 

 is compelled by bright sunshine after a time of dull 

 weather, — a state of things which, early in the sea- 

 son, must be carefully watched, for a half-hour's neglect 

 will destroy the plants if the frame is not properly aired 

 and shaded — ^less air, of course, being required when 

 shading is necessary. The bottom-heat, too, is apt to be 

 dangerously increased with sunshine ; and as soon as it 

 exceeds 95°, it is a safe plan to bore a row of holes along 

 each side of the ridge to let the heat escape. 



MOULDING UP — TEMPEEATUEE. 



After the plants fairly take with the soil and have be- 

 gun to grow freely, look out for their roots at the side of 

 the ridge. As soon as they appear, cover them with 2 

 inches of warm loam — this to be repeated as soon as 

 the roots take possession of each successive layer. The 



