THE MELON. 22^ 



simultaneous, or nearly so, over the whole plant. In 

 this way a more rambling growth is allowed, and fruit 

 set at intervals as they show themselves; and thus 

 fewer melons are ripened at once, but a longer succes- 

 sion is derived from one set of plants. In the case of 

 those who have only a few lights to devote to melons, 

 the practice has much to recommend it ; but where 

 there is room for succession on the more restricted 

 system, I confess to prefer seeing a good crop coming 

 forward at once. And even when melons in one com- 

 partment are all set within a few days, it is singular 

 the difference there is in the time of their ripening, 

 and the succession they on that account keep up. 



VERY EARLY FOECING. 



Very early forcing is much more certain with good 

 melon-houses than with dung-beds ; and in some cases 

 the seed is sown the end of November, and the plants 

 planted in the fruiting-house the first week of January. 

 This, however, is not a practice to be recommended in 

 the case of the inexperienced grower, for even with the 

 best of appliances there is much careful balancing of 

 circumstances required. But so early a start is an ex- 

 ception, not the rule. In some cases these early crops 

 are produced in pots. January and February maybe 

 more generally named as the times at which melon- 

 culture even in melon-houses is commenced. All other 

 things being equal, those which are started then ripen 

 fruit in May and June, before which time the flavour of 

 melons is only second-rate. Later in the season they of 

 course come to maturity in less time. 



The remarks which have already been made regard- 



