ABSTRACTS. 



1201 



was prepared in the preceding autumn by ploughing in a liberal quantity 

 of long stable manure, followed by a second ploughing the last week in 

 April. Surface cultivation with harrows was continued weekly until 

 planting, for the purpose of killing the germinating seeds of weeds existing 

 in the surface soil. By this means a fine tilth was obtained, which was 

 considered necessary for the successful growth of plant until maturing of 

 crop. The most suitable soil for the Water-Melon is a well-drained sandy 

 loam, rich in humus and sloping towards the south. 



The crop is raised from seed sown the last week in May, on slightly 

 raised mounds placed at distances of ten feet apart. Mr. Hall's practice 

 is to dig holes "8 or 10 inches deep and 18 to 24 inches in diameter," 

 and fill up same with 6 to 8 inches of rich well-decayed manure. 

 Sufficient soil is added and mixed with the manure to bring up to the 

 original level. Into the upper portion of above, a small quantity of 

 wood ashes, fowl manure, or phosphates is worked. Ten or twelve seeds 

 are next sown in the centre of each prepared bed in a circle of one foot 

 diameter, and covered with about an inch of soil pressed firmly around 

 seeds and afterwards raked loosely upon the surface to act as a mulch. 

 After germination and all danger of injury from insects are passed, the 

 plants are thinned out, leaving two or three only to mature in each 

 position. 



Deep surface cultivation is commenced directly the plants have made 

 sufficient growth, and is carried on regularly until the vines begin to 

 run, after which the operation is shallow. When plants cover the 

 ground, weeds are removed by hand, and in some cases soil is placed on 

 the vines at intervals to prevent damage by wind until fruit is sufficiently 

 large to hold them in position. 



The seedlings are liable to injury in the cotyledon stage (similar to our 

 own turnips) by the small striped cucumber beetle, the remedy for which 

 is to sprinkle over with lime or tobacco dust, &c. Cutworms, aphis, and 

 fungoid diseases are sometimes prevalent, but may be kept in check by 

 the usual measures. 



The fruits commence ripening during August, and plants continue in 

 bearing until cat down by frost. One test of ripeness in the Melon is to 

 rap with the finger, the ripe fruit giving off a full sound, the green 

 fruit a hollow or ringing one. Both keeping quality and flavour are 

 said to be improved by "gathering in the morning when cool," and if 

 carefully handled and stored it will keep sound from four to six weeks. 

 The best Melon for market is a medium-sized variety with thin rind, red 

 flesh, sweet, and weighing from twelve to twenty-five pounds. 



A table showing the relative value of the fifty-one varieties, and giving 

 number ripened, average weight, shape, quantity of fruit per acre, &c, is 

 appended, followed by a concise description of varieties. 



Part II. This deals with classification based on the fruit alone, 

 colour of skin, and external appearance. There are six classes enumerated, 

 comprising light, medium, and dark* green, light and dull striped, and 

 mottled green. The majority of classes are divided into three types, 

 oval, medium, and long. These are again subdivided into varieties. 

 The work is ably concluded with a brief summary of the principal points, 

 and a selection of most suitable varieties in each class. — E. F. H. 



D D 



