ON THE CULTIVATION OF VARIOUS KINDS OF MELONS. 
145 
it will be found upon observation, that the roots of Cabul and Persian Melons delight to 
cling to and ramify among the rougher portions of soil, drainage, &c. 
These kinds of Melons require a considerable depth — say SO inches or S feet deep, 
of compost, with the addition of a 6-inch substratum of rough turfy materials to root in ; 
and if tolerably dry by the time the plants are ready for insertion (for the earliest plan- 
tation a moderately dry condition of the soil is indispensable), the tender rootlets will soon 
become both numerous and healthy. 
We will now presume that all necessary arrangements for turning out the plants are 
complete; and whether the structure they are about to be grown in be a Melon-house, 
or one of a common kind, we recommend for the full extension and healthy develop- 
ment of the energies of each plant, that one plant only be grown beneath each light, 
otherwise the structure will be crowded with a superfluity of vines and foliage. 
In planting, it is a good plan to mix a trowel or two full of leaf-mould and sand with 
the soil, where the plants are to be immediately inserted, after which a slight watering 
(the water being of the same temperature as the compost) should be given to settle the 
soil around them. 
The planting finished, the leading shoot or point should be pinched out so as to leave 
two eyes, or buds, for the formation of two shoots, if in a house ; but if in a frame or pit, 
it will be found requisite to allow the plants to attain four or five joints prior to the 
stopping process being performed, so as to ensure a similar number of vines or runners to 
furnish the bed. In either case these main shoots should not be stopped or pinched 
back, until such time as they have reached the top of the trellis or sides of the pit. 
No laterals, excepting those on which the fruit are formed, should be permitted to 
remain on the vines or main shoots, or a superabundance of shoots will be the consequence. 
It is a point of the greatest importance, that the leaves be allowed abundance of light 
and room, and are preserved as luxuriant as possible, in order that the fruit may attain the 
maximum of perfection ; for by allowing only a proper number of vines or runners to each 
light, and by timely methodical attention to training, stopping, and thinning out the 
superfluous shoots, we have known both the Persian Green Flesh and Cabul Melon 
develope such magnificent foliage, as to be mistaken at first sight for Cucumbers instead 
of Melons. 
In removing the superfluous shoots (an operation as beneficial to the Melon as it is to 
the Peach), the greater portion of the male inflorescence (a few flowers only being reserved 
for fertilisation) should be rubbed off also, and until such time as a sufficient quantity of 
blossoms have expanded none should be set or fecundated, so that the operation may be 
accomplished on the required number at once ; for, if performed at different periods, a 
very imperfect unequal swelling and maturation of the fruit will be the consequence : and 
that the energies of the plants may not be too severely taxed, no more than four or five 
fruit should be allowed to be borne by each plant for the first crop ; but by the regular, 
oft-repeated administration of liquid manure during the swelling period, we have 
frequently seen seven, and, occasionally, as many as ten fruit of the beech-wood variety, 
averaging five pounds in weight, brought to the greatest perfection for the first crop, and 
afterwards a second and third crops of corresponding weight and quality. 
When the fruit are about the size of hen’s eggs they will generally require to be 
supported by means of small projecting shelves or rests, attached by string or wires to the 
trellis on which the plants are trained, and on these supports the fruit will recline without 
danger or risk of the stalks being broken, which they are sometimes liable to be by their 
own weight. 
In pits or frames the case is different, a tile, a slate, or pane of glass must be introduced 
beneath the fruit, upon the’ surface of the bed, now rendered even and tolerably firm ; and 
to prevent the soil cracking or becoming too dry, it is advantageous to cover the surface 
with fine sandy soil. We have even seen used for this, and for the purpose of absorbing 
heat, Melon beds completely surfaced with lumps of charcoal. 
We now arrive at the most important points to be taken into consideration in the 
successful culture of these Melons, namely, the practical application of heat, humidity, &c., 
VOL. i. — no. v. u 
