JANUARY. 



3 



numerous the plants are shifted into the next size pot, when attention is given 

 to training ; then tying-out the shoots so as to form a semi-globular head, and 

 expose the foliage equally to the influence of the light and air. "Water is 

 given only when they are dry, and in quantities sufficient to moisten the whole 

 ball ; and generally, and by preference, this is given in the morning, and not, 

 as is the practice with many, in the evening. The plants are placed with 

 ample space for growth, the number being regulated by the space. Attention 

 is constantly paid to cleanliness and fumigation, never waiting to see a second 

 aphis, but give a smoking reception to' the first that comes. Delay in doing 

 this would be very unwise — the increase is so very rapid, and the mischief they 

 do very great. Occasionally a plant will grow irregularly, one or more shoots 

 growing much stronger than the rest. When this happens it is well to stop all 

 such shoots : the sap is thus distributed more abundantly to the weaker 

 shoots, and a better head is formed. 



When plants are wished to flower in May they should be shifted into the 

 pots they are to bloom in by the early part of November ; whilst those required 

 to bloom in J une may be repotted at the end of January, or early in February ; 

 but care must be taken not to overpot. A fine bloom can only be obtained 

 when the pot is well filled with roots — too much soil induces growth and not 

 flowers ; neither are the flowers so fine, either in size or colour, as when the 

 soil is full of roots. As the plants increase in size the shoots are tied to dry 

 brown willow rods, and arranged according to their number so as to form the 

 nearest approach to a half-globe, and when in flower the plants are shaded 

 from the sun during three, four, or five hours in the middle of the day. Bees 

 are carefully excluded by hanging thin nets over all openings. 



The past season has been very prolific in seedlings, and I anticipate the 

 new flowers this autumn will prove one of the best lots that have been raised 

 for some years. It is most desirable to obtain these and any fresh sorts as 

 early as possible. Valuable time is lost when they are left in the nurseries 

 until the spring. After a cutting is struck, it should be pushed forward and 

 not be allowed to want anything needful for a single day, if you would give it 

 a fair chance of blooming in its true character. 



The soil I use is composed of the top spit of sods from strong loam, laid up 

 with an equal bulk of stable litter for twelve months, when it is chopped-up 

 and well mixed (if you have it, or can get it, a little good leaf mould may be 

 added), and an eighth part of sharp sand. 



Omickok. 



THE EXHIBITION OF MELONS. 



I am disposed to dissent from the present plan of exhibiting Melons. The 

 usage is to award prizes for flavour only, irrespective of any other consideration. 

 Size, symmetry, colour, weight, and newness — considerations that have their 

 weight with every other class of fruit, are all ignored : consequently, it is often 

 seen that a small ill-favoured-looking fruit gains the first prize. At the Show 

 at the Crystal Palace on the 3rd of September, in the two classes for Scarlet and 

 Green -fleshed Melons, sixty-two were staged. Taking them as a whole they were 

 the finest collection of fruit I ever saw. Looking about me for new Melons, I 

 noticed from one exhibitor in Wales two remarkably handsome specimens, one of 

 Garibaldi, a Scarlet-fleshed variety sent out by Mr. Tiley, of Bath ; and another 

 of Eclipse, a Green-fleshed kind, from Mr. Turner, of Slough, of which " great 

 expectations " were formed, coming as it did from the same source as that 

 popular variety, " Scarlet Gem." On examining the last-named at the incision 



