THE STRIPED HOUSIANEE MELON. 
103 
and melon departments, very high temperature during bright sun¬ 
shine, and of permitting it to decline greatly during the night. I, 
very frequently, had 100 degrees in my pit during the day, and 
found the thermometer at 65 to 60, and even lower, on the following 
morning. 
To finish the subject of watering; it seems improper to syringe or 
water the foliage of the leaves of the melon growing under glass. 
The supply of moisture must be given to the roots, and whatever is 
furnished to the foliage, ought to be deposited in the form of dew 
raised by sprinkling the flues and paths an hour before sun-set. 
The steam exhaled will be attracted bv the pointed portions of the 
leaves, and the bristles or hairy down on their surfaces. 
Air. —T could admit air only by sliding down the top lights, or by 
opening the door at the back of the house; hence, it was given par¬ 
tially, but this ought not to be done. Air ought to flow in an equa¬ 
ble stream in the direction of the slope from front to back; but 
wind should never blow upon the plants : my experience has taught 
me that fact. I again refer the reader to vol. 1, p. 263, of the Reg. 
for a description of Mr. Knight’s house, erected for the express cul¬ 
ture of the melons of Persia, in pots: it appears to comprise every 
requisite that machinery can supply, for insuring the perfect maturi¬ 
ty of a fruit, that is native of *a climate so essentially different from 
that of our own country. In a house so constructed, air can be ad- 
mitted and discharged, ivithout disturbing the lights, and, through 
small apertures, always under the controul of the operator : the 
result is, that, the temperature may be kept regular, and a stream of 
air distributed throughout that part of the house which is occupied 
by the foliage, night and day ; the flues, or hot water apparatus, sup¬ 
plying the requisite degree of radiated heat, at all times when the 
absence or deficiency of sun-light, renders it needful to secure the 
minimum temperature by artificial means. 
Temperature. —Seventy degrees in the day-time, exclusive of heat 
from direct solar height, ought to be aimed at: sixty degrees should 
be kept up during the night. These, I consider the minima du¬ 
ring day and night, to be maintained with an admission of external 
air, whenever that air is not under 40 degrees. In direct sunshine, 
80 to 100 degrees, the thermometer being completely in the shade, 
may be allowed with advantage. The foliage and fruit must be 
shaded from brilliant sun-light at the mid-day hours, by double nets, 
or a canvass screen. 
Progress of the Fruit. —June 4th. The two melons that were 
swelling on‘the plant, had now' attained in length ; the larger, three 
