By G. J. Towers, Esq. 



473 



but I begin to suspect that the reverse will prove to be the fact, and 

 that solutions of manuring substances will be found to be at least 

 of doubtful utility. 



I regret that the advanced state of the season, when my first 

 observation led me to enter upon my course of experiments, pre- 

 cludes the hope of being now able to bring them to any practical 

 termination. I trust, however, that this communication will pave 

 the way to many well conducted experiments in the large way, and 

 lead to the discovery of a more effectual method of cultivating 

 plants of the melon tribe than the one generally adopted. The 

 history of the Persian varieties of the melon proves that the 

 proximity of water to the roots is not inimical to the growth and 

 health of the plant. My experiments have gone further ; and I 

 little doubt that every variety of melon and every species of cucumis 

 may be propagated freely, and with the utmost speed, by the agency 

 of pure water. 



Note by the Secretary. 



With reference to the foregoing paper, it is necessary to remark 

 that there is nothing absolutely new in the discovery that the Melon 

 is a plant of amphibious habits. This has been long known not only 

 from the Persian practice of growing Melons on banks of earth 

 between ditches filled with water, but also from the reports of Mr. 

 Moorcroft upon the floating Melon beds in the lakes of the valley of 

 Cashmere. The object of the Council in publishing Mr. Tower s's 

 paper is merely to direct attention to this circumstance, by means 

 of the observations of its ingenious author. 



