ioi6 



thp: book of gardening. 



radical treatment until it can more safely be performed. What 

 is known as the copperas treatment has found considerable favour 

 both in America and in France. It consists in "washing" the 

 vines when completely at rest with iron sulphate, 61b.; water, 

 i4gals.; prepared in a tub. 



Medlar. 



In the Open. — These highly-ornamental trees are a great 

 success upon both the Pear and the Whitethorn stocks, flowering 

 freely and bearing huge crops of fruit on fairly good soil that 

 is well drained. The Dutch (Monstrous) is the largest-fruited 

 variety ; the tree has a spreading habit as compared with the 

 more compact-growing Nottingham, which is considered by 

 connoisseurs to be the richest flavoured variety ; its fruit 

 is small and produced abundantly. The Royal has a 

 distinct and somewhat sharp flavour; the fruit is of moderate 



Fig. 660. — irRuiTiNG Branch of Royal ^Medlar. 



size (Fig. 660), and the tree is a good bearer. Medlars should 

 not be gathered until they separate readily from the tree ; they 

 should then be spread out thinly in a cool, airy room, and eaten 

 as they become decayed. 



Melons. 



Under Glass. — The Melon can scarcely be termed "highly 

 remunerative " for market, but its fine delicious flavour causes it to 

 take a prominent position on both dessert and exhibition tables. 

 The finest fruit is unquestionably obtained from low houses or pits, 



