CUCURBITACEZ. 
bricks, there is a vacancy in the pits, about 4 feet deep below 
the surface of the flues; this vacancy I had filled to a level 
with the surface of the flues, with vegetable or leaf mould ; and 
in putting it in, it was gently pressed, to prevent it from sinking 
too much afterwards. On the surface of the mould with which 
the pits were filled, under the middle of each light, and which 
is just in the centre of the mould in each pit, make hills of 
mould, in the same form as is commonly done on a dung-bed. 
These hills are to set the plants in, and are to be raised at first 
nearly close to or within a few inches of the glass. Raising the 
mould at first pretty nigh the glass is necessary, on account of 
the sinking of it; for as the frames are set on bricks, they 
cannot sink ; but mould newly put in is sure to settle, and the 
measure of the settlement will ever depend upon the lightness 
and texture of the mould with which the pits are filled. There- 
fore, these and such-like matters must be left to the discretion 
of those who are intrusted with the direction and management 
of the frames. When the bed is thus finished, and ready for 
the reception of the plants, if the flues be strewed over with 
mould, so that their surface be just covered, to a stranger it is 
altogether a deception, for in every respect it has the appear- 
ance of a dung-bed. The sashes of the frames which I used 
were glazed in lead; but if any person who rears early cucum- 
bers have lights which are not glazed in lead, but are slate- 
glazed, the vacancies between the glass had best be filled up close 
with putty, to prevent too much air from getting into the frames 
in the cold days of winter. The frames under my management 
were constantly kept in good repair, and painted over once every 
year. This method, I am clearly of opinion, is more profitable 
than if the frames were neglected for 2 or 3 years, and then 
have a thorough repair, with 2 or 3 coats of paint. When 
frames are new painted, they should be suffered to lie and 
sweeten for some time, at least for 2 or 3 weeks, or until the 
disagreeable smell of the paint is somewhat lessened. Although 
the frames I used were of a very good size, yet if they were a 
little smaller or larger, they would answer the purpose very 
well. Therefore those who intend to build a bed after my plan, 
have no occasion to make new frames merely for the purpose, 
but they may get the bed built to fit the frames they are already 
in possession of. -The linings are to be applied to the bed a few 
days before the plants are ready for finally planting out, in order 
that the mould and every thing in the frames may be properly 
warmed for their reception. The dung, of which the linings 
are to be made, may either be cast together into a heap, to bring 
it to a heat before it be laid round the bed, or it may be laid 
round the bed as it is brought from the dung-yard ; but which- 
ever of these methods be taken, when the linings are making 
up, the dung should be well shaken, and laid up lightly, so that 
the heat of it may come up freely. As it takes some days 
before the linings are able to warm the earth in the bed sufli- 
ciently for the reception of the plants, the rank steam of the 
new dung linings is evaporated, unless the dung came imme- 
diately from the stables, which seldom is the case. The linings 
are to be made nearly 3 feet broad in their foundation, and ta- 
pered up to about 30 inches at the top, by which they will retain 
their heat long, and in sinking will keep close to the bed, which 
is what should at all times be paid proper attention to. In the 
winter and spring months, the linings should be trodden upon 
as little as possible, for treading on them would be the means of 
Stagnating the heat. But should it at any time, in managing 
the plants, be found necessary to stand or kneel upon them, 
boards should be laid on their tops for that purpose ; which will 
prevent the weight of a person from taking that effect on them 
which it otherwise would do. As the linings sink they are to 
be raised with fresh dung, but they should seldom be raised 
higher than the level of the mould in the frames on which the 
VOL. II. 
IV. Cucumis. 25 
plants grow, especially when there is a strong heat in them; for 
when there is a great heat in them, if they are kept higher than 
the level of the mould, the heat dries the air in the frames too 
much. Nor should they be suffered to sink much below the 
level of the mould in the frames, for that, on the contrary, 
would cause too much moisture in the frames, especially in the 
winter and spring months. When the heat begins to be too 
little, notwithstanding the linings being kept to their proper 
height, the fresh unexhausted dung underneath should be taken 
away, and that which was laid aside put in the foundation, and 
fresh dung laid above it, in lieu of that which was carried 
away. Both the side linings may be raised at one time, 
but both of them should never be renewed together; for if 
both were to be renewed at the same time, it would for a time 
cool the frames too much, and when the heat of both came to 
their full strength, it would probably be too powerful to the 
roots of the plants when extended to the flues. I seldom or 
never renew the end linings, because I found the heat of the 
side ones fully sufficient; for as there are flues or vacuities in 
every part of the bed, the steam being fluid, circulates in and 
warms every part thereof. And for the very same reason there 
is no occasion for having a strong heat in both the side linings 
at one and the same time, except in very cold weather. In 
making up and pulling down the linings, care should be taken 
not to injure the brick-work. The covering the lights in the 
winter and spring is absolutely necessary ; for, notwithstanding 
the heat of the linings, it would be impossible to keep up a pro- 
per degree of heat in the frames for the plants without covering. 
Therefore, the covering up in the evenings and uncovering in the 
mornings must be particularly attended to, and more or less put 
on according to the heat of the linings and temperature of the 
weather. After the bed is set to work, heat and sweet moisture 
are the two principal agents required for promoting the growth 
and vigour of the plants ; therefore if there be a heat kept in 
the linings, strong enough to keep the heat in the centre of the 
pits of mould fluctuating between 80° and 90°, cold water may 
be poured on the flues twice or thrice a week. There is no 
danger of creating damps or impure air in the frames by water- 
ing the flues ; for the water is no sooner poured on them, than 
it runs down their sides, and passes clear off through the drains 
of the bed ; consequently, water being poured upon the fiues, 
gives only a momentary check to the heat of the frames ; for the 
flues being at all times full of hot steam, when the watering is 
finished, the heat quickly resumes its former vivacity, and raises 
a warm vapour in the frames, well adapted for promoting veget- 
ation, and for increasing the growth, and invigorating the plant 
in all its parts. The mould round about the sides of the pits 
close against the inner sides of the flues, should be kept nearly 
on a level with the surface of the flues, and as it is the mould 
that joins to the flues which receives the first and greatest heat 
from the linings, it should be continually kept in a moist state ; 
for if the mould against the flues be suffered to become dry and 
husky, air will be generated in the frames disagreeable to the 
plants.” In all other respects, the culture of cucumber or 
melon, on M‘Phail’s brick-bed, corresponds with the culture of 
these fruits on common dung-beds. M‘Phail has, in his “ Gar- 
deners’ Remembrancer,” as well as in his “ Treatise on the Cu- 
cumber,” given the temperature of one of his beds for every 
day in the year, of which the following table shows the extremes 
for every month :— 
morn. noon. even. 
January from 58° to 86° from 56° to 86° from 54° to 77° 
February 68 — 88 66 — 90 58 — 84 
March — 62 — 83 —— 65 — 90 —— 62 — 85 
April —— 69 — 84 —— 68 — 93 —— 64 — 90 
May —— 67 — 79 —— 70 — 90 —— 66 — 95 
E 
