1-'t in breadth, and three feet in height;
the other is eight feet in length, four
feet in height, and four feet in breadth.
MEA
[ 887]
MED
MEASUKE OF WOOD.
1000 Billets of Wood
10 Cwt. of Wood
1 Cord of Wood
100 Lbs. of Wood
MECOXO'PSIS. (From mekon, the
poppy, and opsis, like. Nat. ord., Pop-
pyworts [Papaveracese]. Linn., 13-
Polyandria \-Monoyynia.}
Hardy herbaceous perennials. Divisions of
the plant, in spring, and seeds (which ripen
freely), at the same time ; rich sandy soil.
M. Ca'mbrica (Welsh). 1. Yellow. June.
England.
crassifo'lia (thick-leaved). 1. Orange, red.
California. 1833.
heterophy' lla (various-leaved). 1. Orange,
red. California. 1833.
MEDE'OLA. (Named after Medea,
the sorceress. Nat. ord., Parids [Tril-
liacese]. IAi\n.,Q-Hexandria 3-Triyynia.
Allied to Trillium.)
Hardy herbaceous. Division of the plant, in
spring ; rich sandy soil.
M. Virgi'nica (Virginian). J. Yellow. June.
Virginia. 1759.
MEDIAN APPLE, or Citron. Ci'trus
mc'dica.
MEDICA'OO. Medick. (From medikc,
a name from Dioscorides. Nat. ord.,
Leguminous Plants [Fabacese]. Linn.,
17 -Diadelphia <i-l)ccandria. Allied to
Trifolium.)
Hardy, and all yellow-flowered, except where
otherwise mentioned. Annuals, by seeds, in
open border, in April; perennials, by seeds,
division of the plant, and slips, under a hand-
light; shrubs, by cuttings of young shoots,
under a hand-light.
HARDY EVERGREEN SHRUB.
M. arbo'rea (tree. Moon-trefoil). 8. May.
1596.
HARDY HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS.
M. Carstie'nsis (Carst). 1. July. Carinthia.
1789.
creta'cea (chalky). 4. July. Tauxia. 1805.
falca'ta (sickle-podded). 2. July. England.
glomera'ta (clustered). 1. June. Italy. 1817.
glutino'sci (sticky). 1. June. Caucasus.
1817-
mari'na (sea). 1. July. South Europe.
1596.
proctt'mbens (trailing). 1. June. South
Europe. 1818.
prostra'ta (lying-down), f. June. Hun-
gary. 1/9J.
satl'va (cultivated). 2. Violet. June. Eng-
land.
-" verti'color (various- coloured). 2.
Yellow, blue. June. Britain.
- - suffrutico'sa (sub - shrubby). 2. Violet,
yellow. June. Pyrenees. 1820.
= 1 Cord.
= 1 Cord.
= \ Chaldron of Coals.
= 1 Quintal of Wood.
HARDY ANNUALS.
M. aculea'ta (prickly). 1. July. 1802.
brachyca'rpa (short -podded). . June.
Trifliz. 1823.
cancella'ta (latticed). 1. July. Caucasus.
1818.
Catalo'nica (Catalonian) . . July. Cata-
lonia. 1820.
cilia'ris (hair-fringed). 1. July. South
Europe. 1686.
corona' ta (crowned). 1. June. South
Europe, i860.
discifo'rmis (disc-formed). . July. South
France. 1822.
echi'nus (hedgehog). . July. South
France. 1818.
flexuo'sa (zig-zag). . July. Italy. 1819-
Oera'rdi (Gerard's). 1. July. South Eu-
rope. 1816.
i Hornemannia'na (Hornemann's). . June.
Morocco. 1818.
interte'xta (interwoven). 1. July. South
Europe. 1629.
lacinia'ta (jagged-/eawerf). . July. South
Europe. 1683.
lee'vis (smooth), i. July. South Europe.
1816.
lappa'cea (Burdock-like). 4. July. Mont-
pelier. 1810.
lupuli'na (Hop-like). 1. June. Britain.
polysta'chya (many-spined). Switz-
erland.
Willdeno'vii (Willdenow's). *.
Europe.
macula' ta (spotted). l. May. England.
marginal to, (bordered). 1. July. South
Europe. 1816.
mnioca'rpa (Moss-fruited). . July. Switz*
erland. 18l6.
molli'ssima (softest). . July. Spain. 1818.
murica'ta (point-covered). 1. June. Eng
land.
orbicula'ris (round-podded). 1. July. South
Europe. 1688.
pr&'cox (early). . July. Provence. 1820.
re' eta (upright). 1. July. Barbary, 1810.
rupe'stris (rock). 1. June. Tauria. 1820.
Sibi'rica (Siberian). 1. June. Siberia.
1817.
spheeroca'rpa (round-fruited). . July.
Italy. 1818.
spinulo'sa (small-spined). 4- July- South
France. 1820.
stria' ta (channeled). 4. July. South Francei
1820.
; Tcnorea'na (Grenada). |. July. Italy. 1820.
I tcntacula'ta (tentaculated). 1. June. South
Europe. 1800.
turbina'ta (top-shaped). 1. July. South
Europe. l6ao.
MEDINT'LLA. (Named after J. de
Mcdlnilla y Pineda, governor of the
Marianne Islands. Nat. ord., Melas-
MED
MEL
tomads [Melastomacere].' Liim., 10-
Dccandria l-Monoyynia.)
Stove evergreen shrubs with rosy flowers.
Cuttings of stumpy side shoots root the safest,
though cuttings of the young shoots root freely
when damping is avoided ; in sand, with a
little peat, under a bell-glass, and in a bottom-
heat; peat and loam, fibry and sandy. Win-
ter temp., 48 to 55 ; summer, 60 to 85.
M, erythrophy'lla (red - leaved) . 2. August.
Khooseea. 1837.
spccio'sa (showy). 4. July. Java. J845.
MEDLAE. (Mc'spihts germa'nica}.
Varieties. Blake's Large ; Dutch,
largest fruit; Nottingham, small, but
best flavoured ; Stoneless, inferior, but
keeps longer than others.
Propagation by Seed. This is a
tedious mode, the seed usually lying
two years before it germinates. Sow
immediately the fruit containing the
seed decays, in common light soil.
Water the seedlings frequently in dry
weather ; thin them to two feet apart ;
and when four or five years old they
will be fit for final planting.
By Layers. This may be done in
February and March, making use of
shoots of the previous year. They will
have rooted by the autumn.
Grafting and Budding may be done
on the White Thorn, but the Pear is a
better stock for the medlar.
Soil. A well-drained, but retentive
loam suits it best.
Planting, Pruning, &c. See the
directions given for the Pear.
Storing. The fruit ought not to be
gathered until November, for if the ga-
thering is made before the fruit is fully
matured, it shrivels without ripening
in its decay. Spread them singly upon
sand, the calyx, or open side down-
wards, and dipping the stalk end in a
strong brine of common salt and water,
which is said to check the occurrence
of mouldiness.
MEDUSA'S-HEAD. Eitpho'rlia ca'pttt-
medu'sa.
MEGACLI'NIUM. (From mcgas, large,
dud kline> a bed ; referring to the axis,
or rachis, on which the flowers are
borne. Nat. ord., Orchids [Qrchi-
daceaj]. Linn., '20-Gynandria l-Mo-
nandria. Allied to Cirrhopetalum.)
StoVe orchids from Sierra Leone. Division of
the plant iii spring { shallow baskets in sphag-
1 nui, rotten wood, charcoal, and fibry peat.
Winter temp., 60 ; summer, 60 to 90.
j M.falca'tum (sickle-shaped). I. Yellow, red.
March. 1824.
j ma' jus (larger). Yellow, red. March.
1833.
I ma'ximum (largest) . 1. Yellow, green; 1836.
j veluti'num (velvety). Purple, yellow. 1845.
MELALEU'CA. (From melas, black,
and leiikos, white ; referring to the
I colours of the old and young bark.
j Nat. ord., Myrtleblooms [Myrtacege].
j Linn., IS-Polyadclphia %-Polyandria.)
Evergreen shrubs from New Holland, except
! where otherwise mentioned. Cuttings of the
; shoots in May, as they are getting firm at their
i baseband not more than three inches in length,
j in sand, under a bell-glass ; peat and loam,
most of the latter, with a fair portion of sand,
and nodules of charcoal. Winter temp., 38
to 45. Many are about as hardy as a myrtle,
and will stand against a conservative wall, with
a little protection,
STOVE EVERGREENS.
M. Leucade'ndron (White Cajeput Tree). 15.
White. East Indies. 1796.
mi' nor (smaller Cajeput}. White. East
Indies. 1800.
GREENHOUSE EVERGREENS.
M. acero'sa (sharp-pointed). Purple. June.
c/tarfe/Ho'nea(beautiful-stamened). Purple,
rose. June.
calyci'na (Zrge-calyxed). 3. Purple. July.
North America. 1803.
decussa'ta (decussate -leaved] . 4. Lilac.
August. 1803.
de'nsa (thickly-teawed). 2. Purple. 1803.
rf('osm/o7ia(Diosma-leaved). 4. Reddish.
June. 1/94.
dumo'sa (bushy). 2.
erube'scens (blushing stamened'). Yellow.
June.
fu'tgcm (splendid). 6. Scarlet. August.
1803.
genistifo'lia (Broom-leaved). 4. Red. 1793.
gra'ndis (grand). 4.
Huge'lii (Hugel's). 1832.
/lypericifo'lia (St. John's- Wort-leaved). 3.
Scarlet. July. 1/92.
inca'na (hoary). 3. Yellow. July. 1817-
juniperoi'deh (Juniper-like). 3. Striped.
June. 1830.
lanccola'ta (spear-head-/euc/). 4. July*
1817.
paludo'sa (marsh). 6. Red. August. 1803.
pulche'lla (neat). 2. Purple. July. 1303.
ra'dula (file-like). Pink. May.
sca'bra (rough-/euerf) . 3. Purple. May.
1803.
seria'ta (row-ranged). Rose. June.
spino'sa (spiny). Yellow. June.
stjua'inea (sc&ly-cali/xed) . 4. Lilac. June.
1805.
-cnlyxed}.
squarro'sa (spreading). 2. White. 1794'
stria' ta (channeled - leaved). 4. Purple.
June. 1803.
etyphelai'de* (Styphelia-fctftY'd). 4. White.
June. 1793.
MEL
[ 580 ]
MEL
M. tetrugo'na (four-angled), 4. 1820,
thymifo'lia (Thyme -leaved). 2. Purple.
August. 1/92.
tnchophy'lla (hair-leaved). Pink. May.
trine'rvia (three-nerved). 3. 1816.
virga'ta (twiggy). 2. 1818.
MELANOBRELE'A. (From mclos, black,
and rhco, to flow; referring to the
juice becoming black varnish. Nat.
ord., Anacards [Anacardiacece], Linn.,
23-Polyyamia 2-D'uecia.)
The black poisonous varnish of Martaban, is
the produce of this tree, the Theet-see, or Kheu
of India. Stove evergreen tree. Cuttings of
ripe shoots, with the leaves on, in sand, under
a glass, and in peat ; peat and loam. Winter
temp., 55 to 60 ; summer, u'0 to 85.
M.usitu'ta (common. Black Varnish Tree}.
100. Hed. East Indies. 1829.
MELA'NTHIUM. (From melas, black,
and anthos, a flower; referring to the
dusky blossoms. Nat, ord,, Mclanths
[Melanthacece]. Linn., U-Hexandria
3-Trigynia. Allied to Veratum.)
The Melanths are all more or less poisonous.
Halt-hardy bulbs requiring the greenhouse or
cold-pit in winter, or the bulbs to be kept dry
and at rest ; propagated by offsets and seeds ;
sandy loam and peat.
M.Cape'nse(Capc). J. Yellow. May. Cape
of Good Hope. 1/68.
cilia 1 ta (hair-fringed). . Pale yellow.
June. Cape of Good Hope. 1810.
grami'neum (grassy). I. White. May.
Madagore. 1823.
ju'nceum (Rush-teamed). $. Pink. Sep-
tember. Cape of Good Hope. 1780.
phalangioi' des (Phalangium-like). 1. White.
June. Carolina. 1810.
secu'ndum (side -flowering). 1. White.
September. Cape of Good Hope. 1810.
Sibi'ricum (Siberian). 1. Siberia. 1823.
trique'trum (three-sided). White, purple.
April. North America. 1847.
uniflo'rum (one.flowered). $. White, yel-
low. June. Cape of Good Hope. 1/87-
MELA'STOMA. (From mclas, black,
and stoma, a mouth ; the eatable berries
stain the mouth a dark purple. Nat.
ord., Melastomads [Melastomacea?].
Linn., IQ-Dccandrta \-Monogynia, Al-
lied to Osbeckia.)
Stove evergreens. Cuttings of the shoots, in
sandy peat, under a bell-glass, in heat ; peat
and loam, sandy and lumpy. Winter temp.,
45 to 60 ; summer, 60 to 85.
Jl/. affi'nis (related). 4. Purple. East Indies.
1810.
Afzelia'na (Afzelius's). 1$. Red. Sierra
Leone. 1824.
a'spera (rough). 6. Purple. June. East
Indies. 1815.
- Ba'nkaii (Sir J, Bank's). 1*. White, Sep-
teraber, New Holland, 1824,
M. ca'ndida (white). 4. Purple. China. 1824.
corymbo'sa (corymbed). 2. Purple. June.
Sierra Leone. 1792.
cymo'sa (cymed). 2. Purple. June.
South America. 1792.
! ecosta'ta (ribless). 4. Purple. July.
Jamaica. 1793.
! elonga'ta (elongated). 1. Purple. May.
Sierra Leone. 1823.
1 maci-oca'rpa (large-fruited). 6. Purple.
June. China. 1793.
Malaba'thrica (Malabar). 6. Purple. June.
East Indies. 1793.
pulverule'ntum (powdered). Red. March.
Sumatra. 1823.
sangu'inea (bloody). 6. Purple. September.
China. 1818.
MELHA'NIA. (After Mount JMelhan,
in Arabia Felix, where the first of them
was discovered. Nat. ord., Byttneriads
[Byttneriacese]. Linn., 16-Monadelphiu
Z-Pentandria. Allied to Astrapsea.)
Stove evergreen trees with white flowers.
Cuttings of the half-ripened shoots, in sandy
peat, in a little bottom-heat, and under a bell-
glass ; sandy peat and a little loam. Winter
temp., 50 to 60 ; summer, 60 to 85.
M. Burche'llii (Burchell's). 15. Cape of Good
Hope. 1818.
erythro'xylon (Red- wood). 15. July. St.
Helena. 1772.
melano' xylon (Blackwood) . 30. July. St.
Helena.
ME'LIA. Bead Tree. (Melia, the
Manna Ash ; referring to the resem-
blance of the leaves. Nat. ord., Me-
liads [Meliacffi]. Linn., IQ-Decandria
1-Monogynia.)
Seeds and cuttings of the ripe shoots, in
sand, under a bell-glass, and in a mild bottom-
heat ; sandy loam and fibry peat. Azedarach,
and Australia will stand against a wall in the
south of the island. The Monks formerly
strung the fruit as beads.
GREENHOUSE EVERGREENS.
M. Austra'lis (southern). Lilac. New Hol-
land. 1810.
Azeda'ruch (Azedarach). 45. Blue. July.
Syria. lSa6.
STOVE EVERGREENS.
M. Azadira'chta (Azadirachta). 60. White.
July. East Indies. 175Q.
compo'sita (compound-leaved), 20. White,
red. July. East Indies. 1810.
exce'lsa (lofty). 40. White. July. East
Indies. 1819-
Guinee'nsis (Guinea). 30. White, red.
July. Guinea. 1824.
robu'sta (robust), 30. White, red. July.
East Indies. 1820.
supe'rba (superb). 20. White, red. East
Indies. 1810.
MELIA'NTHUS. Honey Flower. (From
wie/, honey, and anthos, a flower ; the
MEL
[ 590 ]
MEL
tubes contain a copious supply oJ
honey- like juice. Nat. ord., Beancapen
[Zygophyllacere]. Linn., JL-Tetrandria
I-Monogynta.)
The natives obtain honey for food by shaking
the branches of Melianthus major, when in
blossom. Evergreens from the Cape of Good
Hope. Cuttings of young shoots, in sandy
soil, under a hand-light ; rich sandy soil ; re-
quire the protection of a greenhouse, cold pit,
or a conservative wall, in winter.
M. como'sus (tufted). 3. Yellow. 1820.
ma'jor (greater). 10. Brown. June. 1688.
mi'nor (smaller). 2. Brown. June. 1696.
MELI'CHRUS. (Frommelichros, honey-
coloured ; referring to glands on the
flowers. Nat. ord., Epacrlds [Epacri-
dacese]. Linn., 5-Pentandria 1-Mono-
gynia. Allied to Styphelia.)
Greenhouse, scarlet-flowered evergreens from
New Holland. Cuttings of the shoots, when
two inches long, and a little hard at their base ;
side cuttings after pruning down, are the best ;
sandy peat. Winter temp., 38 to 45.
M. me'dius (middle). 2. May. 1824.
rota'ta (wheel-shaped). l. June. 1824.
MELICO'CCA. Honey-berry. (From
met, honey, and coccos, a berry ; re-
ferring to the sweetness of the fruit.
Nat. ord., Soapworts [Sapindacese].
Linn., 8-Octandria I-Monoyynia. Al-
lied to Pierardia.j
Stove evergreen trees. Cuttings of ripe
shoots, in sand, under a bell-glass, in heat ;
peat and loam. Winter temp., 48 to 60;
summer, 60 to 80.
M. bi'juga (two-paired). 16. Yellow. Antilles.
1778-
olivafo'rmis (Olive-shaped). 20. Yellow.
Grenada. 1824.
panicula'ta (panicled). 20. St. Domingo.
1820.
tri'juga (three-paired). 20. Ceylon. 1820.
MELI'COPE. (From met, honey, and
kope, an incision ; referring to the
nectary of notched glands. Nat. ord.,
Rneworts [Kutaceffi]. Linn., S-Octan-
dria \-Monogynia.)
Greenhouse evergreen. Cuttings of small
side-shoots, in sand, under a bell-glass, in May ;
sandy loam, with a little peat and leaf mould.
Winter temp., 40 to 48.
M. terna'ta (three-leafleted). 6. White. New
Zealand. 1822.
MELI'CYTUS. (From meli, honey,
and cytos, a cavity ; referring to the
cavity at the bottom of the stamens.
Nat. ord., Bixads [Flacourtiacese].
Linn., '22-Dicecia Q-Hexandria. Allied
to Flacourtia.)
Greenhouse evergreen shrub. Cuttings of
shoots getting firm, in sand, under a bell-glass,
in May ; sandy peat, and a little loam. Winter
temp., 38 to 45.
M. ramiflo'rus (branch-flowered). 6. White.
New Zealand. 1822.
MELILO'TUS. Melilot. (From meli,
honey, and lotus, the honey lotus. Nat.
ord., Leguminous Plants [Fabacese].
Linn., \l~Diadelphia k-Decandria. Al-
lied to Trifolium.)
Seed, in common soil ; arborea, by seed and
by cuttings, does best in a sheltered place, and
is deserving of more cultivation.
37. arbo'rea (tree). 15. White. July. Turkey.
1826.
leuca'ntha (white - flowered). 4. White.
July. Europe.
suave'olents (sweet -smelling). 3. Yellow.
July. Dahuria, 1824.
MELI'SSA. Balm. (From melissa, a
bee ; literally, a bee-flower. Nat. ord.,
Labiates [Lamiacese]. Linn., l-Didy -
namia I-Gymnospermia.}
Hardy herbaceous perennials. Dividing the
roots, in spring ; common garden soil. See
Bairn,
M. Cre'tica (Cretan). White, purple. June.
Candia. 1596.
officina'lis (shop). 1. White. July. South
Europe. 1573.
variega'ta (striped - leaned). 1.
White. June. Gardens.
villa'. ia (shaggy). White. August.
Italy. 1573.
microphy'lla (small - leaved). . Purple.
June. Corsica. 1829.
polya'nthos (many - flowered). 1. White.
July. 1820.
Pyrena'ica (Pyrenean). 1. White, purple.
July. Pyrenees. 1800.
MELI'TTIS. Bastard Balm. (The
same derivation as Melissa. Nat. ord.,
Labiates [Lamiacese]. Linn., l&-Didy-
namia \-Gymnospermia.}
Same culture as Balm.
M. melissophy'llum (Balm-leaved). 1. Flesh.
May. England.
' Alpi'na (Alpine). ^. Flesh.
May. Switzerland.
grandiflo'ra (large-flowered).
1. White, yellow. May. England.
MELOCA'CTUS, or Melon - shaped
Cactus, a sectional genus of Cactus,
differing from Echinocactus, in having
the flowers produced on a head covered
with dense, woolly, and bristly hairs,
called a tomentum, while those of
Echinocactus issue from the bare ribs
or angles. Treatment similar to
hat for Mamillaria ; suckers and
offsets; loam, peat, and lime rubbish.
MEL
[ 591 ]
MEL
Winter temp., 45 to 55, and dry;
summer, 00 to 90, and moist when
growing, but dry when ripening or har-
dening off. See Cactus and Mamillaria.
MELODI'NUS. (From melon, an apple,
and dlneo, to turn round ; referring to
the shape of the fruit. Nat. ord., Dog-
lanes [Apocynacese] . Linn., 5-Pentan-
dria 2-Diyynia. Allied to Carissa.)
The fruit of this and some other allied genera
are eatable, but not of much merit. Stove ever-
green twiners, with white flowers, blooming in
July. Cuttings of half-ripened side-shoots, in
sand, under a bell-glass, in heat; peat and
loam, with a little sand. Winter temp., 50 to
60 ; summer, 68 to 85.
M. mono'gynus fone-pistiled). 10, East Indies.
1820.
parvifo'lius (small - leaved). East Indies.
1775.
sca'ndens (climbing). 15. New Caledonia.
1775.
undula'ta (waved-teawed). East Indies.
MELOLO'NTHA. Every one knows
the common May-hug or Cockchafer
(Mclolo'ntha vulga'ris) ; a drawing and
description of its grub is given at page
15, vol. v., of The Cottage Gardener.
This grub very closely resembles that
of another species, M. horti'cola, Gar-
den Beetle, or Brackenclock, Phylloper-
tka of some entomologists. The latter
beetle (Ibid, ii., 171,) is found in June
and July, among the petals of white
roses. It is nearly half an inch long,
and rather less than a quarter of an
inch broad. Its wing-cases are reddish
brown, shining, and shorter than the
body; the body and head are dark
green, and the antennse reddish, having
at their ends a dark green club. It
also feeds on the leaves of apples,
pears, and roses, gnawing them full of
small holes, and even transferring its
attacks to the young fruit of the apple.
During the latter part of July the
female retires into the earth for the
purpose of there depositing her eggs,
from which the grubs speedily are pro-
duced, and feed upon the roots of
plants, especially of grass. The only
mode of reducing the number of these
beetles is by searching for them during
the evening, when, if detected, they
stiffen their outstretched legs, and
feign death ; but in the day they fly
about swiftly, and are captured with
great difficulty. It is said that when
grass suffers from the grubs of either
of these beetles, that they may be ex-
tirpated by watering with the ammo-
niacal liquor from gas works.
ME 'LON. ( Cu'cumis mc'lo, )
Varieties. These are so numerous,
j that we must be very severe in our
| selection, confining ourselves to such
as are most generally useful in Britain;
and these we must classify according
to their habits.
Cantaloups, the Eocks, the Green-
fleshed, the Valentia, or Winter, and the
Persians, with their various hybrids.
Amongst the Cantaloups, we have both
round and oblong, plain and netted,
the Orange, the Montagues, &c. In
the Rocks, we have the Small scarlet-
fleshed, the Black, the Large, and the
Early, &c. In the Green- flesh class,
we may point to the Beech-wood, which
may almost be considered the type of
this section, the Small Green-fleshed
Egyptian, of exquisite flavour, and
thin rind ; these, with the various va-
rieties known by the name of Snow's,
Terry's, the Kew-green-flesh, &c. These
are the most generally useful melons,
being hardy, free-setters, and not liable
to rot or canker.
Next we may advert to the Winter
Melons, a class which will keep a long
time after they are cut; and the Va-
lentia may be placed amongst this divi-
sion. Lastly, are the Persians, with
their useful hybrids. The types of
these Persian hybrids are, principally,
the Ispahan, the Dampsha, the Q-er-
mek, and the Hoosainee.
Propagation : by Seed. Most prac-
tical men prefer old seed to new, as
running less to bine. A bottom-heat
of from 75 to 85 is essential ; and
when the seedlings are up, and just
before the second set of leaves begin
to appear, the young plants may be
potted into five-inch pots, two in a pot,
in a soil of three parts strong loam,
enriched with manure. A temperature
of 70 to 80 must be secured to them,
and the pots should be plunged. As
soon as the central shoot begins to
sprout from between the seed-leaves
it may be pinched off; and this, if
other points be right, will cause the
protrusion of a pair, or more, of shoots,
MEL
[ 59-2 ]
MEL
more fruitful in character, and these
are enough as " leaders." In about a
fortnight afterwards they will be fit for
the fruiting bed.
By Cuttings. This mode of culture
has been recommended by some as
serving to restrict that excessive luxu-
riance which is frequently inimical to
fertile blossoming. Under proper cul-
ture the plan answers ; but, on the
whole, the seedling plan is the better.
It is, however, a certain mode of per-
petuating choice kinds, and as such
should not be lost sight of. Healthy,
free-growing, yet short-jointed shoots,
should be selected, and the usual bot-
tom-heat and atmospheric temperature
must be secured ; in addition to this,
there must be a liberal amount of at-
mospheric moisture, and the close
treatment, with shading, incidental to
the growth of cuttings. When esta-
blished, the plants will need no
" stopping ; " and they require a more
generous soil when finally planted.
Subsequent Culture. The melon is
fruited by a variety of modes, but in
all a certain amount of bottom-heat, as
well as atmospheric, is absolutely ne-
cessary. The bottom-heat should never
descend below 70, nor range above
90, whilst an atmosphere not below
65, nor above 80, will be most suit-
able; permitting, however, a rise of
eight or ten degrees from sunshine.
In no situation can the melon endure
shade.
Culture in the Dunq-bed. (For pre-
paration of this see Hot-bed.} The ear-
liest melons are generally sown about
the middle of January, in a seed-bed
specially prepared. Great caution is
necessary ; and Avhen the plants are up,
and the two seed-leaves fully developed,
they may be planted out singly in iive-
inch pots, in rich soil. About this time
the ridging-out bed must be got up for
their reception, and this must be com-
posed of materials perfectly sweet. Re-
gular ventilation, and frequent water-
ings, will soon render the air within
perfectly sweet ; and then the hills of
soil may be introduced ; in doing which
it is good practice to form hollows two-
thirds the depth of the bed, and to fill
them to the ordinary surface with brick-
bats or rubble, laying a turf with the
grass downwards on the top, and on this
the hillocks may be placed. The young
plants will, by this time, have produced
three or four shoots each, and it is
good practice to retain two of the best
on each. They may now be ridged out,
and must afterwards be occasionally
watered when dry ; watering, according
to the weather, also the sides of the
frame and the uncovered clung, almost
daily. Henceforth, regular linings
must be supplied, and those often
turned and watered ; maintaining stea-
dily the temperatures, and taking
care that the bottom-heat in no part
of the interior exceeds 90. As strong
linings will be requisite at this early
period, much water will be necessary
twice or thrice a-week, round the in-
sides of the frames, and next to the
linings, to prevent burning. As soon
as the plants begin to spread, the re-