THE MELON. 219 



at this early season, after the fruit have ceased to in- 

 crease in size, or they will be very apt to burst and be 

 spoilt. Besides, much moisture in the soil is inimical 

 to good flavour, and a flavourless melon is a very use- 

 less production. If they show any signs of suffering 

 before the fruit begin to change colour, syringe the 

 foliage and sides of the bed gently, in preference to 

 giving a root-watering, but this must cease immediately 

 there are the least signs of ripening. At all times avoid 

 watering close to the collar of the plants. It is apt to 

 cause damping and canker at the neck of the plant ; and 

 besides, the active roots are nearer the sides of the 

 frame. As soon as ever the fruit are set, place a piece of 

 tile or slate under them, to keep them off the damp soil ; 

 and, if possible, lay them on their crown, a position in 

 which they are generally sent to table. If grown and 

 ripened on their side, they are generally more or less 

 disfigured. As soon as they are full grown, raise them on 

 a pot or piece of smooth brick above the foliage, so that 

 sun and air can play freely about them and ripen them 

 well, taking care that they are placed so that water can- 

 not gather about that portion of them resting on the tile. 

 During bright weather in April and May, a gentle 

 sprinkling overhead, when the fruit are swelling off, at 

 shutting-up time, is very refreshing to them, and keeps, 

 up the necessary humidity of the atmosphere. This 

 must be discontinued immediately the fruit begin to 

 ripen. If a fruit or two should be required as early as 

 possible, dry some clean fine sand and cover up the fruit 

 with it. The sun shining on this covering of sand 

 places the fruit "within in a higher temperature, and 

 it matures more rapidly 

 , When the fruit have attained their full size, do not 



