A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

MEL 373 MEL
kept in its natural posture and vigour.
So convinced was Mr. Knight of the
little attention paid to tiiis point, that
he took some melon plants under his
especial care. He placed one under
er the main stem the better, must be
left on each runner, and all others
nipped off, the runner at the s;iinc time
being broken away at the third joint
above it. Eight melons on one plant
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each light, the glass of which was six of the large varieties, and about twelve
feet by four ; the branches were trained of the smaller are quite sufficient to be
regularly and secured by pegs in every left; if more are suff'ered to remain,
direction; and still further, to present they will either be of inferior size and
the largest possible surface of foliage to quality, or not ripen at all. By this
the light, the leaves were held erect' prunmg fresh runners are often in-
at equal distances from the glass. As
great injury is sustained by these from
duced; but these must in like manner
be stopped, and any fruit that they may
the common mode of watering, it was produce be removed. If a superabun-
80 performed as not to touch them. By dance are produced, which especially,
this simple additional care, the other if new seed is employed, will some-
routine of their management being the times happen, it is necessary to thin
same as usual, the fruit attained an ex- them, and in doing this the weakest and
traordinary degree of perfection, and most luxuriant must alike be rejec'ted.
ripened in an unusually short space of those of an average size being the most
time. Mr. Knight further directs, how-' fruitful. It must always be kept in
ever, that wherever a sufficient quantity mind, that air should be admitted as
of fruit is set, the production of more much and as often as circumstances
leaves is to be prevented, if they can- will allow. During mild and serene
not be exposed to the light without afternoons and evenings, the glasses
overshadowing the fruit, by pinching may be entirely removed, but on no
off the laterals as soon as formed. No
part of full-grown leaves, however.
consideration left ofTall night. In very
warm weather they may be kept off,
should be destroyed though far distant' from ten in the morning until five, a
from the fruit.
Temperature.shade
being afforded to the plants dur-
-The temperature re- ing the meridian if they flag at all. It
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quires particular attention at the time is necessary, both for melons and cuof
setting and ripening ; though neglect cumbers, that something should be laid
at all the stages of growth is fatal. It! between the fruit and the earth of the
bed, otherwise it will be speckled and
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must never fall below 70°, or rise above
SO^. The seed or nursery bed may injured in appearance ; clean straw and
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continue about the minimum, but never reeds spread in thin but regular layers
below it: and the fruiting one as constantlv
approximatinii the maximum as
are often employed for this purpose,
If tiles or pieces of board are made use
possible until the fruit is full grown, of, it is of considerable service in forwhen
the temperature during the day warding the ri[)ening, to have them
may vary between 85^ and 953. Im- painted or charred black; but what
pregnation must be performed as direeled
for cucumbers. When the runwould
be still better is coal ashes
spread over the surface of the bed two
ners completely touch the side of the or three inches deep and beat smooth,
frame, if the season is genial it must be This, I am of opinion, is preferable
raised three or four inches by means of
bricks, otherwise they must be pruned
or stopped. From ijiis, the propriety
of having only one plant to a light, is
evident; for the runners being ofVen
six or seven feet long, and very numer-
ous, require, if there is not room for
from its power of absorbing and retaining
heat, and inferior in no other
quality to drifted sea or river sand,
recommended by Mr. Henderson, of
Brechin Castle, N. B., which, he observes,
extirpates the slater or woodlouse,
by preventing it conccaliii"
training, the frame to be lifted long self from the rays of the sun ; it keeps
before the season will allow it. As down the steam, affords a bed for the
soon as the fruit is set they must he fruit as warm and as dry as tiles or
looked over three or four times in a slates, retains the moisture longer,
i week to observe which is the most whilst it becomes dry itself sooner than
vigorous and finest; of these, one that] those coverings, and is a powerful prehas
the largest footstalk, and the near- 1 ventive of the evil— the mildew. If