352 On the Cultivation of Melons in the open air. 



being displaced by sudden gusts of wind. The shoots should 

 be spread out so as to expose the leaves as regularly as pos- 

 sible to the light, in the manner of a trained tree ; when they 

 are about three feet long their ends are stopped, which forces 

 out laterals with flowers and fruit in abundance. I never give 

 the plants any water after the first ten days, the rain that com- 

 monly falls being sufficient to supply the roots with moisture. 



I remain, dear Sir, 



your obedient servant, 



John Williams. 



Pitmaston, 

 31 st August, 1822. 



