THE CUCUMBER HOUSE. 67 
These boilers have two flow outlets, which are 
necessary for this kind of house, and they also have 
two returns. The Thames Bank Company, London, 
keep a large stock of boilers of every class and size, 
and every kind of connection and fitting. They have 
also a patent method of fixing the pipes by means 
of india-rubber rings for the sockets, which offers 
such a facility for fixing hot-water pipes that any or- 
dinarily good workman can fix them. I can fix them 
myself. I was much pleased with the idea when some 
little time ago I had an apparatus from them to be 
attached to a Cucumber house. I will endeavour to 
give the cost of it, and I find by a pretty correct caleu- 
lation, that for an efficient apparatus with one of these 
thirty-six-inch conical boilers, 360 feet four-inch piping, 
and all necessary connections, together with the fixing, 
the cost will be 36/. as nearly as possible; but it must 
be remembered that this is a powerful heating apparatus, 
and able to keep up a growing heat let the weather be 
what it may, ordinarily speaking. 
The cost of building the house will be about the 
same as for the early vinery with the border pro- 
tector, complete, viz. 541. 10s. This is at a much 
lower rate than is usual, more than 50 per cent., and 
‘double-glazed,’ without which no house can be gua- 
ranteed frost-proof, or even warranted to maintain a 
temperature sufficient for Cucumber growing in the 
winter. 
Those who contemplate growing Cucumpers for the 
winter should get the house finished by July and ready 
for making the bed by the end of the month, and as 
soon as August comes, commence to make a good bed 
in the south pit, and when the heat rises sow the seed. 
F 2 
