With regard to pruning and training the runners or sines of melon plants, it is necessary that a sufficient number of these for filling the frame should be made to ramify as close to the base of the main stem as can be conveniently effected by pinching off the top of the latter when it has made a few joints, or four leaves above the cotyledons ; and the laterals, which in consequence become developed, may be again subdivided by a similar process. Blossoms of a moncecious character will soon after make their appearance. • The male blossoms, or at least a portion of them, must be retained for the purpose of fertilisation till the requisite quantity of fruit is fairly set, after which those shoots which have only male blossoms may be dispensed with, in order to afford more space for the foliage connected with the fruit. The ex tremities of the fruit-bearing vines are stopped by pinching at the second or third joint above the fruit. A piece of slate or tile is placed under each fruit for the purpose of keeping it from the damp soil. The heat must be fully maintained, or even considerably increased, as the fruit approaches maturity, in order to allow the admission of a more free circulation of air ; but if at the same time the bottom heat be allowed to decline, the plants will become diseased and fall a prey to the mildew or to the red spider.
A very great improvement, however, in the mode of cultivation has been effected by the adoption of the plan of training them off the beds to trellises under glass-houses. The fruit has thus a better opportunity of ripening ; and can frequently be cut a month earlier than if ripened on the bed ; besides being less liable to damp or rot. The flavour is also finer. By this mode of cultivation, likewise, melons can be brought to fruit in winter, though they will then scarcely acquire the flavour given by a bright sun.
The varieties of melons can scarcely be kept permanent, particularly where many are cultivated, as they hybridise so readily. One of the finest is the Beechwood. Cuthill's Early Cantalope, Bromham Hall, Trentham, Green Fleshed Egyptian, and Green Fleshed Masulipatam, are esteemed excellent. Of the Persian varieties the Green Hoosainee, the large Germek, the Melon of Keiseng, Sweet Melon of Ispahan, and the Geree, are the highest flavoured. The Dampsha is a winter melon. Of water-melons, the Spanish, the Imperial, and the Carolina are among the best.
of Mort. Soc. ; London, Encyclopaedia of Gardening ; Mae Intosh, Book, of the Garden.) •