240 



MELON. 



will produce a second crop equal, if not exceeding 

 the first. 



The soil, for melons of this description, need not 

 be so rich and heavy as for the larger sorts. One half 

 of rich cucumber earth mixed with another half of 

 good fresh loam, not over stiff, will answer well. 

 The loam should have been turned several times be- 

 fore being mixed with the other, and on no account 

 to be sifted, either for the hills or for the general 

 earthing up. If loam cannot be conveniently had, 

 kitchen garden soil, not too poor, will answer the 

 purpose. Loam, however, whenever it can be em- 

 ployed, ought to be considered as the basis of all 

 composts, whether for melons or any other plant. 

 The writer will not venture to say that such a com- 

 post will do for the Persian varieties, not having 

 cultivated any of them himself. Their fruit he has 

 seen and eaten, and found them very sweet and 

 luscious; but from their being no bigger than a 

 goose egg, and very troublesome to cultivate, sus- 

 pects they, as a useful fruit, will soon be laid on the 

 shelf. 



2. Romana, — So called from that part of Italy 

 where it is much cultivated, and from whence it was 

 brought to this country many years ago. There are 

 two varieties of this sort, the round and the oval, 

 both very good. 



The size varies in weight according to cultivation, 

 say from one to four pounds. The rind is smooth, 

 of a yellowish-green colour, which changes but little 



