round, oblong, oval, smooth-rind, depressed, ribbed, netted, carbuncled, mostly red fleshed, and some green fleshed, &c., the whole of the varieties producing a rich and highly esteemed table fruit when ripe; the young green fruit is also used for mangoes. SOILS PROPER FOR GROWING MELONS. Par. 47. The compost for growing melons in, should be prepared in the autumn, prior to its being used, or at least some considerable time before it is wanted, in order that it may be well mixed, and in proper condition to receive the young plants; for this purprse take half or two-thirds. of rich light surface loam, dug fresh from a common or pasture field, the remainder of thoroughly rotted dung from old hotbeds, and rich garden mould, in about equal proportions; or if a part is rotten cow-dung, it will prove beneficial: those should be all thoroughly mixed together in a heap or ridge where it is exposed to the sun, rains, &c., turning it over three or four times to well break, and cause it the more effectually to mix; and before placing it in the frames, take such quantity as may be required into a shed 'under cover for two or three weeks, that it may dry to a proper moisture for the hotbed. PREPARING DUNG, &c. FOR THE HOTBEDS FOR RAISING MELONS. Par. 48.-Hotbeds for growing melons are generally made of stable dung, being the most easily obtained; of which prepare a sufficient quantity in proper time to have it in good order by the time the beds are required to be made, choosing that which is fresh and in a lively, steaming state, the long and short mixed up together in a heap, letting it lay for a week; then turn it over, and well mix it, and in about another week turn it over again. By this process it will properly ferment, discharge the rank steam, and become of a proper temperature to be made into a bed; and when the heat of the bed declines, and linings are required, prepare a sufficient quantity from time to time for that purpose also. Melons are likewise grown very successfully in bark hotbeds. These beds retain a long regular heat, choosing the tan in the same state as described for bark-bed pits. SEED PROPER FOR SOWING. Par. 49. With regard to the seed of melons, it should be saved from the earliest and finest fruit, which has thoroughly ripened; and when three or four years old at the time of sowing, it generally proves more successful, as the plants raised from new seed grow very luxuriantly, in which case the fruit seldom sets so soon or freely as on those plants raised from old seed. OBSERVATIONS ON RAISING MELONS IN DIFFERENT WAYS; THE TIMES FOR SOWING THE SEED; REMARKS ON WATERING, AND SEASONS OF RIPENING. Par. 50.-Speaking generally of the culture of melons, they are raised chiefly in three principal crops, although, if preferred, they may be sown more frequently, at two or three weeks interval. The first is sown in January or February, from which, ripe fruit may be expected in May and June, and sometimes as early as April; but for a more general and certain crop, to be also cultivated in frames under lights, the end of February or beginning of March for sowing the seed proves the most successful, and the fruit will come to perfection about July and August. The third and last crop should be sown late in March or beginning of April, for planting out under hand-glasses, to produce ripe fruit in August, September, and October. When the plants have grown too large for the hand-glasses, (in the absence of frames with lights,) oiled paper frames may be placed over them, by which means good crops of late melons are produced with proper management, which will hereafter be fully explained. Melons in any stage of their growth are by no means fond of excessive moisture, neither to the earth or over the plants. It will cause the roots to rot, and frequently the main stem; it will likewise prevent the young fruit from setting kindly, and much wet will considerably deteriorate the flavour of the fruit, if applied while ripening. Consequently they ought to be kept at all times in a very moderate state of moisture. METHOD OF MAKING HOTBEDS FOR RAISING MELON PLANTS; WITH THEIR MANAGE- Par. 51. Having ready for sowing such kinds of melon seed as may be intended for the earliest crop, make a small hotbed for a one light frame, (a larger if required for other purposes,) making the bed with fresh stable dung, about three feet or three feet and a half high. Immediately place on the frame and glasses, which will defend the bed from the weather and draw up the heat sooner than when left open, giving vent to the rank steam, by raising the glass or glasses at the upper or north end. When the bed is of a proper temperature, place the soil or compost. on the top of the dung inside the frame, about five or six inches thick. Then fill two or three garden pots or more (according to the number of sorts intended to be sown) with the same sort of earth, and plunge them a little way into the earth of the bed, sowing the seed therein, and lightly covering it; likewise sow some seed in the earth of the bed, in order to embrace a N |