244 
CULTURE OF MELONS. 
not a drop of water, perhaps, need be given, provided the soil be 
properly moistened and pressed; in the first instance, then covered 
with three inches of sand, and lastly with flat tiles. It will be advi¬ 
sable to cut the fruit of this variety before it becomes fully ripe, be¬ 
cause it is extremely liable to crack very deeply across the corona, 
if a strong gleam of sun strike upon it at the moment when it be¬ 
comes quite ripe. Ever} experienced grower knows how suddenly 
a melon turns : this variety, in particular, requires critical nicety of 
observation; for, like others of the Persian tribe, it scarcely affords 
any indication of maturity till it be completely ripe : it then gives 
out the specific odor of a fine melon, but not, perhaps, as I found to 
my great concern, till a crack, two inches in length, and entirely 
through the flesh, be formed. It exhibits little or no change of tint 
at any time, nor am I aware, that any saccharine juice exudes from 
the foot-stalk at or near its junction with the fruit. 
My first Melon was ripe in five weeks, and three days from the 
period, when it began to swell to that when it was over-ripe, (May 
26, to July 3,) Thirty-five days. If the season be sunny, and the 
temperature of the pit be kept at from 75 to 100 degs. during the 
day, and at about 70 degs. in the night, it may, I think, be stated 
as the period that will generally be required, to bring the fruit to a 
condition wherein it may be cut with a certainty of its becoming 
subsequently mellow in a few days. Shading with canvass or hunt¬ 
ing, ought to be observed during the mid-day hours of a powerful 
sun-light; and air ought to be freely given through small openings 
in front and rear under the glass. 
My second crop was advancing, in consequence of a cutting that 
had rooted in a small pot under a glass. This cutting when a foot 
high, was moved (July 4th) into the stove, to be treated as a Persian 
Melon. 
So saj's my Journal of the day, the mode alluded to, is described 
in my former papers. ( Horticultural Register, Yol. 2, No. 2, p. 
99.) Six or seven fruits speedily formed upon this plant; I remo¬ 
ved all but one, and that became ripe and of excellent quality, bi t 
afforded no guide to future experiments, as the plant was almost en¬ 
tirely under shadow, and the shoot had by some accident lost its 
leader. 
Such of your readers, as have not witnessed the gratifying results 
of the culture of melons and cucumbers by cuttings, will be in¬ 
structed, and I hope much gratified by the perusal of the annexed 
passage from the Gardeners' Magazine; and much as I may regret, 
that I so trespass on your valuable pages, I feel it a duty to proceed. 
