AND GENERAL CROPS OF MELONS. 269 



frames are to be preferred for growing melons to 

 maturity. As soon as the bed is made a proper 

 height with the dung, and regularly levelled, 

 place on the frame lights ; and when the violent 

 heat has subsided, which will generally be the 

 case from about a week to ten days, bring in the 

 earth, (that having been already prepared as 

 before directed,) laying it in a round heap under 

 the centre of each light, about a foot or fifteen 

 inches thick, covering the other part of the bed 

 only about three inches deep, until the heat has 

 become more moderate. 



When the hills or ridges of earth have become 

 warm, either on the same or following day, put in 

 the plants in the middle of the hill, removing 

 them from the pots with the balls entire about 

 the roots. Place two plants under each light, 

 but some consider one plant sufficient in each 

 hill, and particularly of the cantaleupe. When 

 planted, give a little water round the extremities 

 of the fibres, and then close the frames to draw- 

 up the heat ; but when the steam begins to get 

 strong, raise the lights at the back half an inch 

 or more to give vent, and in the same manner 



