TIONTHLY CALENDAR. 233 



624. During dull weather, care must be exercised not to force the fruit- 

 houses too rapidly, or their elongated spongy growth will be made at tho 

 expense of future strength and fruitfulness. — D. T. F. 



§ 7. — Hotbed and Frame Cultivation. 



625. Cuaimlcrs, in full growth, require every attention. See that thts 

 heat of the beds does not fall below 70° : apply fresh linings as soon as this 

 is the case. Attend to stopping and setting ; allow no more than two or 

 three cucumbers to grow at the same time on one plant ; admit air in 

 sunny w^eather, but not enough to produce a draught ; give all the light pos- 

 sible, but cover at night with mats or straw, and add fresh earth if required. 

 If it is desired to start more beds, the dung may be got ready and treated as 

 formerly described, during which time the seed may be sown in pots and 

 placed in a bed in full operation ; or those who have not yet begun may pro- 

 ceed as described last month. Good loamy soil is best to grow them in, so 

 that it is warm enough before planting. Place two plants on a mound, under 

 each light ; as they grow, add fresh soil till the bed is level. Peg the bines 

 down as they grow : if a proper temperature and sweet dewy atmosphere 

 jjervade the frame, they will ne\er be troubled with insects or mildew ; but 

 if they are chilled or over-heated, these will soon follow. If mildew attack 

 them, sprinkle with water and dust with sulphur ; if green-fly or thrips, fumi- 

 gate with tobacco. The same directions apply to the culture of melons : but, 

 before planting, make the soil pretty firm. These require the same tempera- 

 ture as cucumbers, and great care as regards watering : too dry, they ai-e apt 

 to become infested with red-spider ; too wet, they are subject to canker : in 

 the former case, apply sulphur, or syringing ; in the latter, ajjply soot about the 

 collai-. Set many, but allow no more than two, or three at the most, to swell off 

 at once ; and cut away, or rather prevent, all superfluous growth, by pinching 

 out every new shoot that is not wanted. Attend well to the application of 

 fresh dung. Nothing can succeed unless the heat can be maintained. 



626. Water of the same temperature as the bed is absolutely necessary in 

 watering them, which should be done over the leaves, as well as at the roots, 

 about twice or three times a week, which is as often as they are likely to 

 want it. Still evaporation proceeds, and it is sometimes necessarj', therefore, 

 to make good the consequent loss ; but in watering forcing-beds I would 

 advise, first, the using of a fine rose, that the sm'face of the soil be not 

 beaten down in the process ; secondly, that the water is of a temperature 

 nearly equal to that of the bed — rather above than below : and if liquid 

 manure is used, it shoiild be rather weak. For asparagus and seakale a little 

 salt, about a teaspoonful to the gallon, may be advantageous ; and, thirdly, 

 it is better to water effectually at once, than to water little and often, because 

 the latter is apt to keep the surface slimy and soddened^ with no benefit to 

 the plants, but i-ather the contrary. 



