AND GENERAL CROPS OF MELONS. 275 



with dry litter or waste hay ; and if there is any 

 fruit left, which is not expected to ripen till 

 October, give an additional lining of hot dung 

 about the middle of September. At this late 

 season it will greatly assist the ripening of the 

 fruit, by promoting a moderate bottom heat. 



MANNER OF TREATING MELONS WHEN IN 

 BLOOM. 



Par. 53. — When the plants come into bloom, 

 a good heat should be kept, and as regular as 

 possible ; this will greatly assist the setting of 

 the fruit. Also, at the early season of the plants 

 blooming, when bees and other winged insects 

 are scarce among the flowers, impregnating the 

 female blossoms with the male, generally proves 

 of considerable service, by causing the fruit to 

 set well, and swell off immediately. This is 

 done in the same way that is usually practised 

 in growing early cucumbers, by taking a fresh 

 male flower, commonly called the false blossom, 

 on the same day, both the male and female 

 expand ; take away the petal or flower leaf of the 

 male bloom, leaving only the central part, which 



