244 On an improved Mode of Cultivating the Melon. 



of every leaf in requisition, though some of them grew at 

 nearly six feet distance from it. 



The disadvantages of leaving too numerous a crop on any 

 plant are sufficiently well known, and every skilful gardener 

 is able to calculate, from the extent and vigour of his Melon 

 plants what number of fruits, of any given variety, each plant 

 is capable of supporting ; but when a Melon plant has many 

 fruits to support, it is often a partial parent, by which one 

 offspring is very abundantly fed, whilst another starves ; and 

 hence often arises the great disparity in the quality of fruit 

 of the same plant. 



This cannot occur when each plant has a single fruit only 

 to support, and is given a sufficient extent of foliage : and 

 under this mode of culture, the most shy, and the most free 

 bearer, become equally productive, for every plant, will rea- 

 dily offer all that is wanted, a single fruit. 



I have already stated that I think a Melon plant of any sac- 

 charine variety, will require about fifteen inches square of 

 glass roof for every pound of fruit ; and in this calculation I 

 include glass of good quality. There may possibly be varie- 

 ties of the Melon which will afford a larger produce, than 

 that abovementioned ; but whatever variety be cultivated, I 

 feel confident that quite as large a produce may be obtained 

 by the mode of culture above recommended, as by any other; 

 and I cannot but believe a larger produce of good fruit, 

 owing to the advantages of a constant supply of warm air, 

 and the power of giving, and of permanently maintaining, in 

 the bed a high and regular temperature, without the intro- 

 duction of steam, and the power of securing to each fruit its 

 due share of nutriment. I am also of opinion, that great 



