When the plants have established themselves, earth is gradually added, and pressed close down, till the other parts of the bed be almost on a level with the spots on which the plants are situated. This thick layer of earth has one great advantage ; it renders very little watering necessary. When water is given, it should scarcely touch the leaves. The heat is regulated by keeping a Fahrenheit's thermo meter within the frame ; which should as nearly as possi ble indicate 70°.
If the beds be in good heat, the frames are generally filled with runners in six weeks, and by this time the roots will have extended to the extremities of the beds. Lin ings are now added ; and these being covered with soil, well trodden down, the roots penetrate into it, and thence draw additional nourishment ; while, at the same time, the linings assist greatly in keeping up the heat.
260. As there is little opportunity under a glass-frame for the wind to perform its part in conveying the pollen, careful gardeners generally assist by taking off some fully expanded male flowers, and laying them or shaking them over the female flowers, which are situated on the crown of the embryo fruit. Even without fecundation, fruit will bo produced ; but it never acquires perfection, and the seeds of such fruit will not germinate. The different va rieties of melons, it may be remarked, should not only be kept in distinct frames, but, if possible, at some distance from each other, to lessen the chance of the pollen of one kind accidentally reaching the stigma of another. One fruit is selected on each principal runner, preferring that which is nearest the stem, or has the thickest footstalk ; this is encouraged, while the rest are picked OM If the melon be a small-sized variety, sometimes two are per mitted on a shoot. It is a general rule, not to leave more than four or five fruit on each plant, if of the larger kinds; or eight or ten, if of the smaller. A more correct way of estimating, perhaps, is to allow each plant only to carry 20 lb. or Su lb. weight of fruit. It may be mentioned, that w here late melons are wanted, an easy way to procure plants is to take some of the superfluous shoots of the first crop ; for the plant grows freely by cuttings.
If water be.now given, it should be introduced without touching the stems, leaves, or fruit ; it is seldom needed more than once a week, even in dry and warm weather. Great attention is requisite in allowing the plants free air as often as possible. Some have contrived bent tin pipes,
connecting with the open air, and passing through the body of dung, by means of which a current of slightly warmed air is introduced even in the worst weather. When the weather happens to be very cold, mats are laid over the frames.
261. In the southern parts of Britain, melons are also raised in hot-beds. The plants are at first under hand glasses ; but the shoots or runners are allowed to spread from under the glass, and cover the hot-bed as the season advances. The beds are hooped over, and when heavy rains threaten, they arc closely covered with mats. Frames of oiled paper answer very well for the raising of melons. A kind of paper made from parings of skins, and used for packages, under the name of leather-paper, is stronger than common paper, and can easily be made so as to possess equal transparency. The leather-paper seems excellently adapted for the purpose.
A piece of clean tile is introduced below each fruit ; and during the course of its swelling, it is not uncommon to turn it gently once a week, that both sides may be equally exposed to the sun's rays. But it should not be oftener turned, for fear of twisting and injuring the fruit-stalk, and so preventing the conveyance of nourishment through it. At this time very little water is given, dryness tending to heighten the flavour, and air is as freely admitted as the weather will permit. When the leaves press against the glass, the frame is raised two or three inches; but leaves should never be cut when it can possibly be avoided. Nicol recommends the removing of those which shade the fruit ; but it is doubtful whether the advantage arising from the additional sun-light thus acquired, will counterbalance the detriment occasioned by the loss of leaves, these being or gans on which Mr Knight found the success of this fruit most essentially to depend.
The fruit should always be gathered before it be dead ripe. It is known to approach maturity, by its beginning to crack near the footstalk, and by the peculiar rich odour it then emits. It is cut, with all its stalk to it, early in the morning, before the sun has had access to it, and it is kept in a cool place till served up. If melons be deficient in external colour, this may be brought on merely by laying them in the frame for a day or two. Melons should in ge neral be eaten exactly when ripe, or sharp ripe, as gar deners call it ; but rather a day or two before than after maturity.