248 



MELON. 



man who has his way to work through the world. 

 But he fears that Latin and Greek will be of no use 

 to the man who must earn his bread by the sweat 

 of his brow." How bitterly did poor Switzer lament 

 his fate, in being obliged to handle the scythe, and 

 spade, and wheelbarrow ! which if he had known 

 nothing of Horace and Virgil, would have been to 

 him no misfortune at all. 



But to return to the subject.- — There is a large 

 melon called the Hovjieur, imported in great quan- 

 tities from France, where they are cultivated by 

 the farmers, and which may be introduced to the 

 advantage of market gardeners round London. 

 Notwithstanding all our boasted improvements of 

 late years, horticulture has not yet arrived at full 

 perfection ; and many fruits, which are supposed 

 unattainable without a warmer sky, may yet be 

 matured in this country with but very little artificial 

 assistance. 



Melons are subject to canker ; this disease is 

 caused by too much moisture and want of heat. 

 Soon as it appears (if not too late in the season) 

 fresh linings should be applied ; and if the earth in 

 the bed has become too moist, part of it may be 

 removed and replaced with fresh dry compost : the 

 cankered parts should be pruned off. 



The melon plant is liable to the attack of the red 

 spider. This insect can only live and increase in 

 dry air ; therefore, keeping the air in the frame 

 in a fine steamy state, and frequently sprinkling with 

 water, will keep down the plague. Or if it be feared 



