THE MELON. 227 



generally adopt the close-stopping system — that is, to 

 restrict the growth of the plants within the limits of 

 the allotted space for each by pinching the growths 

 constantly at two joints beyond the fruit, and leaving 

 those shoots from which fruit is not taken to grow 

 sufficiently to cover the whole of the trellis or wires 

 with foliage without being crowded. A different sys- 

 tem is successfully pursued by others. The plants 

 are allowed to grow more at will, and set the first 

 fruit irrespective of their being simultaneous, or nearly 

 so, over the whole plant. In this way a more ram- 

 bling growth is allowed, and fruit set at intervals as 

 they show themselves; and thus fewer melons are 

 ripened at once, but a longer succession is derived 

 from one set of plants. In the case of those who 

 have only a few lights to devote to melons, the prac- 

 tice has much to recommend it. Where there is room 

 for succession on the more restricted system, I confess 

 to prefer seeing a good crop coming forward at once. 

 Even when melons in one compartment 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 FORCING. 



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- 



