Method of growing Crops of Melons on open Borders. 173 



returned upon the bed to the depth of nine inches, and has 

 a similar treatment, as regards treading. When the prepara- 

 tion is finished I set on the hand-lights, four feet apart, along 

 the centre of the bed, and plant a pot of plants under each 

 light. Two or three plants will be sufficient for each light. 

 When they are planted I give a good watering, and shut the 

 lights close down, and let them remain so till the plants have 

 nearly filled them, when they should be tilted up about two 

 inches in front every fine day for a week or ten days. If the 

 weather is dry and warm I give gentle watering, but if dull 

 or cold the plants are better without it. 



If the hand-lights have ventilators at top, they will be 

 better calculated for the purpose ; these may be opened to 

 give air instead of lifting the light ; this will let the damp air 

 escape, and prevent the sun's heat from scorching the tops 

 of the vines and leaves, which is apt to be the case if they 

 are suffered to remain in contact with damp air, when so 

 exposed. 



When the plants have nearly reached the top of the lights, 

 or appear to get crowded with vines, the lights should be 

 raised up and the plants let to grow out, in the same manner 

 as is practised with Ridge Cucumbers. If the vines are very 

 thick, a few of the weakest may be pinched off, and the top 

 of each leading shoot or vine removed. No more pruning will 

 be necessary for the season. Previously to the lights being 

 raised, the bed should be covered over with a layer of 

 short grass, or any dry litter that may be most convenient, to 

 keep the vines and fruit clean. Setting the fruit at this 

 season of the year is quite unnecessary. 



