the plants, and swelling the fruit; but as these
latter approach their maturity, the degree of moisture must of course be
gradually diminished.

In connection with this moistened and genial soil, the Melon has
naturally the advantage also, of powerful sun heat, and intense light; and
these are two conditions which it is indispensable should be supplied in
artificial cultivation, as fully as they can possibly be obtained. It is
by means of the moisture of the soil, that the plants are enabled to grow
on rapidly and vigorously, because that moisture renders the food
contained in the soil, soluble, and therefore available to the roots; but
the elaboration and assimilation of this food depends on the degree of
_light_ and _heat_ with which they are supplied: without these conditions,
to convert the crude sap, by their united agency, into organic compounds,
such as lignin, gum, starch, and sugar, and to induce their deposition,
the fruit will indeed be formed--it will grow, and perhaps may even tempt
the eye; but unless these chemical and vital changes have taken place in
its constituent parts, the eye, as it frequently happens, will have been
deceived; and instead of the palate being gratified by a mature and
luscious fruit, it will find nothing but a tasteless mass of pulp. The
plants, therefore, cannot, in our latitude, receive too intense a degree
of solar heat, or of light.

The same cause which renders the natural atmosphere of the Melon countries
elevated in temperature, renders it also comparatively dry; the sun drinks
up the moisture which is deposited near the surface, or which may rise to
that position; and by an exceedingly powerful influence effectually
prevents the accumulation of moisture about the exposed parts of the
plants. The atmosphere is nevertheless not in an arid state; the
evaporation from a well-moistened soil effectually prevents this from
being the case, but the excessive heat also as effectually and continually
prevents an undue accumulation of moisture in the atmosphere. The
application of this fact, to artificial practice, is plain; a less amount
of moisture artificially applied, in comparison with the temperature, must
be permitted, than when the cultivation of those plants is attempted whose
natural habitats are less strongly featured in this respect.

Such considerations as these naturally force on us the conclusion, that it
is vain to attempt the cultivation of this noble fruit, except du