460 
CULTURE OF THE MELON. 
ped at the first or second joint, which will be the means of strenth- 
ening them, and induce lateral branches to push out from the centre 
of the plants. While they are nursing in the seed bed, the depart¬ 
ment in which they are intended to produce their fruit must be got 
in readiness, and prepared according to the directions specified for 
the Cucumber beds ; and when the burning heat has subsided, the 
mould may be spread over the surface of the bed, and frequently 
turned for a few days, so as that every part may become dry, and 
got into a congenial state for the reception of the plants. The soil 
that appears best adapted for the growth of the Melon, is the top spit 
(with the sward intermixed with it) of a pasture, that consists of ra¬ 
ther a strong yellow loam, a few months previously prepared, well 
chopped up, and turned two or three times before it is used. 
When the soil in the frames is thoroughly warmed through, and 
collected into hills under each light, the plants may be put in, turn¬ 
ing them carefully out of their pots, and keeping them as close to the 
glass in the first instance, as they will admit, as the fermenting sub¬ 
stance will soon subside; and if not well prepared and trodden, it 
would leave the plants at too great a distance from the glass. After 
planting, a little aired water is given, to settle the soil about the 
roots. The lights must be now well covered during the nights, and 
the temperature in the frames not permitted to fall below 66 degrees 
with artificial heat, and from 80 to 85 degrees with sun heat; but 
when air can be freely admitted, the temperature must be increased 
8 or 10 degrees. The exterior linings of dung must be well attended 
to, so as not to let the heat get too much exhausted before they are 
renewed with additional dung. A little fresh air should be given at 
all favourable opportunities, and the interior of the frame kept in a 
sweet and healthy state, otherwise the plants will make but little pro¬ 
gress. 
When their Vines begin to extend themselves, they must be kept 
pegged down to the surface, and a little fresh soil added progressively 
to the hills, before the entire bed is moulded over to the depth of a 
foot or fourteen inches, which will be of sufficient thickness for the 
nourishment of the Melon plant. It is necessary, also, to be careful 
in watering the Melon; for if much is given close to its stems, it 
will be subject to canker and rot oflfbefore the crop of fruit is ripen¬ 
ed; therefore the water should rather be applied to the extremities of 
the roots than to the centre. Care should likewise be taken not to in¬ 
jure or break the foliage, and to avoid wetting the incipient fruit and 
blossoms as much as possible. In short, while the fruit is setting, water 
should be almost suspended. At an early period of the year the im- 
