TREATISE ON THE CULTURE ANDl 



Melons, in dry weather, and with a dry heat, are very apt 

 to be infested with the red spider ; and you may always ob- 

 serve the symptoms long before you can see these insects with 

 the naked eye, by the leaves curling and cracking in the middle» 

 Whenever you observe them in that state, in fine warm sunny- 

 weather, I would recommend watering them all over the leaves 

 from a watering pot with a rose, or an engine, about six in the 

 morning ; and about eight o'clock shade them with mats, if the 

 sun shines, and shut the frames close down till about eleven ; 

 then admit a small quantity of air, letting the mats remain till 

 about three in the afternoon, when they should be taken off. 

 Shading with mats will prevent the leaves from being scorched 

 by the sun while they are wet. If the wind be South or South 

 West, I would recommend watering them again about three 

 in the afternoon, shutting them up close to keep the heat in, 

 which will cause a strong exhalation, and destroy the spiders, 

 as they by no means love moisture. In watering, throw as 

 much as possible on the underside of the leaves, where the 

 insect generally lodges ; the vines may be gently turned, taking 

 very great care not to hurt them ; by which means you can 

 easily throw the water all over the underside of the leaf ; which 

 must be done in a gentle shower from the engine, or from a 

 watering-pot with a rose, so as not to wash up the mould on 

 the plants, at the same time throw great plenty of water on the 

 lights and sides of the boxes. After you have done watering, 

 lay the vines gently down again in their former position. If a 

 sunny day, kt the mats remain as before directed until the leaves 

 of the plants are perfectly dry, admitting air according to the 

 heat of the day. 



Before the frames and lights are used, I would recommend 

 washing them well, both inside and out ; first, with clean wa- 

 ter, and then with soap-suds and urine mixed; using a brush 

 or woollen rag in the washing ; this will kill the eggs of the 

 spiders and other insects that may have been deposited the 

 preceding season. 



When the ridges are fit for putting the mould on for the 

 hills to plant the melons in, it should be from a foot to fifteen 

 inches deep, and the rest of the bed should be covered with 

 light mould, or rotten leaves, about one inch deep to keep 

 down the steam. Take care not to make the hills too broad at 

 first (a v/heel-barrow full and a half will be enough for one hill), 

 and observe that the heat is not too great, which will burn the 

 mould and the roots of the plants. You will know when the 

 beds are of a fine temperate heat, from sticks stuck in at differ- 

 ent parts of the bed, by the feel of your hand, and the sticks 

 having a pleasant sweet smell. 



