ON FRUIT CULTURE. 



lOI 7 



having bottom-heat for the roots as well as a good top heat 

 for the plants ; the bottom-heat may be furnished by fermenting 

 material such as litter from stables, or by hot-water pipes under- 

 neath slates or slabs on which the soil is placed. The soil for 

 Melons should, if possible, be rather heavy and possess plenty of 

 fibre ; and if it is placed on the slabs or fermenting material a 

 day or two prior to the time for planting, it will become 

 thoroughly warmed through, and be in a correct condition for 

 the young plants that have been raised in pots from seed. A 

 mistake is frequently made in putting the young plants deeply 

 in the soil : as little as possible of the stems should be buried, 

 otherwise Canker will most probably set in, and the whole crop 

 be in danger. A moist growing atmosphere is desirable, with a 

 night temperature- of 65deg., rising sdeg. or lodeg. by day. 



Prompt attention should be given to tying the growths to the 

 trellis on the roof, avoiding any congestion of growth by removing 

 surplus shoots with the finger and thumb as they appear. When 

 the young fruit is forming, the point of the shoot is best pinched 

 out one leaf beyond the embryo fruit, and while the female 

 flowers are open, a rather drier atmosphere ought to be given, as 

 this will assist in securing a good set. In the early part of the 

 year all the female flowers should be fertihsed with the pollen of 

 the male flowers ; later on bees and insects will perform the work. 

 When it is seen that there is a good set, all fruits, except four of 

 the best and most even in size, should be cut away ; those 

 remaining will be ample for the plant to carry. Plenty of 

 atmospheric moisture is desirable, and every effort should be 

 made to swell the fruit to a large size by means of weak liquid 

 manure ; measures should also be adopted to support the fruit by 

 strings or other means when it is about the size of a small Orange. 

 Immediately the fruit shows signs of ripening by the aroma 

 given, syringing should cease, water at the roots should be supplied 

 sparingly, and more air admitted on all suitable occasions. This 

 will improve the flavour, and prevent splitting of the fruit. When 

 there is a small crack all round the stem of the fruit, it is ready 

 for cutting, and, after being in the fruit-room a few days, it will 

 soften and be in prime condition for dessert. Hero of Lockinge, 

 Golden Perfection, and William Tillery are three good green- or 

 white-fleshed varieties ; and Blenheim Orange and Gunton 

 Scarlet are two excellent scarlet-fleshed ones. 



Mulberries. 



In the Open. — All the Mulberries enjoy a warm position 

 and good soil. With these aids they are very fine, and 

 by some people the fruit is much esteemed. The large 

 Black, White, and the Weeping Russian White Mulberry are 

 all excellent ; the last-named makes a very handsome tree on 

 the lawn. 



