THE MELON. 219 



carry tlie fruit to maturity, as the surface of the bed 

 is completely shaded with foliage. No water should 

 be given at this early season, after the fruits have 

 ceased to increase 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 useless 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 the fruit are set, place a piece of tile or slate 

 under each, 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 oh 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 cannot gather about that portion of 

 them resting on the tile. 



During bright weather in April and May, a gentle 

 sprinkling overhead, when the fruits 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 fruits 

 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 



