By Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq. 187 



this substance the fibrous roots of the plants interweave themselves, 

 and they can at any time be taken out of the pots without the least 

 danger of their losing any part of their roots or mould. 



In the management of my melon plants, I have during several 

 past years adopted a mode of treatment which I have found very 

 highly beneficial ; and which I shall take this opportunity of des- 

 cribing and recommending. I use pots of about five inches wide 

 and as many deep, but without any bottom. These are put to stand 

 upon a piece of tile, or slate, and are lined with hay in the manner 

 abovementioned, the plants being always put into them, as soon as 

 the seed leaves have become unfolded. When the plants are trans- 

 ferred to the hotbed, the piece of tile or slate is taken away, and 

 the pot is immersed to half its depth in the soil. Water is given 

 to the mould in the pot, till the roots of the plant have extended 

 themselves in the mould of the bed, but not afterwards ; and the 

 base of the stem in consequence not being ever wetted, never can- 

 kers, or becomes diseased. 



Downton, June 6, 1837. 



