OX THE TRELLIS. 



83 



plants being ready to turn out of the pots, pre- 

 pare the interior of the pit by following the in- 

 structions under the head of cucumbers on the 

 trellis (see p. oS) ; except as regards the earth, 

 which, for melons, should be loam, the surface 

 of an old pasture, chopped rather small, as 

 directed for melons on dung-beds. 



With this earth, pure and unmixed, fill the 

 pit from the turf upwards, to within one foot of 

 the trellis in the front, and two on the back, and 

 six inches in the middle ; being higher there 

 than at the sides, to draw off the water from the 

 stems of the plants. 



The surface should be lightly trodden ; and 

 when finished, place a couple of sticks in it, 

 about the centre, a foot deep, and draw them 

 occasionally ; by which the temperature may be 

 ascertained. When deemed sufficiently warm, 

 the plants may be put out, two under each 

 light, eighteen inches apart, lengthways of the 

 pit ; after which put on the trellis ; and if the 

 plants pass through it two joints, stop them, 



g 2 



