MELOX. 



are made three feet thick, and four feet wide, and 

 immediately covered with the common soil of the 

 garden, which happened to be a light loam. When 

 the mould on the bed is thoroughly warmed, single 

 plants are put in along the centre, three and a half 

 feet apart, and the oiled paper frames put on. Water 

 and air are given as may be necessary. Each plant 

 is destined to produce one fruit only ; and which, as 

 soon as fairly set, is placed on a brick, and the 

 plant at the same time is stripped of all other run- 

 ners, and the greater number of its leaves ; and this 

 for the purpose of throwing the whole vigour of the 

 roots into the fruit. All this had been done, and 

 had succeeded as intended : and in the third week of 

 August the author saw with admiration, between sixty 

 and seventy fine rock melons, of from five to seven 

 pounds weight each ! At that time the paper lights 

 were off; and this to retard and harden the fruit for 

 carriage to market, the manager fearing no rain or 

 change of weather. The seeds to raise plants for 

 these paper frames are sowed in a hot-bed about the 

 beginning of April ; a good season for sowing all 

 kinds of rock melons, in whatever way the plants are 

 treated afterwards. 



These two instances of the great abilities of unedu- 

 cated men, to which may be added that of Mr. Presi- 

 dent Knight's gardener at Downton, shows the great 

 value of experience in all practical matters. The 

 writer cannot undervalue education ; he has often 

 envied the good fortune of Ws Scottish brethren in 

 this respect, and the great advantage it is to every 



