MONTHLY CALENDAR. 477 



and must be sifted out; but the same quantities make an excellent fuel 

 for tliem. 



§ 8.— Hotbed and Frame Cultivation. 



1464. The purposes of hotbeds are limited at this time of the year, at least 

 in most places. Cucumbers, melons, &c., are usually grown in houses and 

 pits that are otherwise unoccupied at present ; and as their culture is more 

 cleanly, and with greater comfort that way, hotbeds may be dispensed with for 

 a time ; but those already in operation will require attention. The weather 

 is usually hot this month and next, but is often changeable, and the manager 

 of frames must be ruled by it. We sometimes have sudden and heavy showers, 

 ■which would drench the plants and beds through if they were uncovered, 

 probably to the destruction of the plants ; yet plenty of fresh air is necessary ; 

 and the sudden changes produced by clouds obscuring the sun for a time, and 

 then bursting forth hot and fierce, must be provided against : it is in such 

 cases that a little shade may be advantageous ; but it must be very slight, and 

 not be left on a moment longer than is really required. 



1465. Many gardeners make hotbeds at this time for propagating plants — as 

 roses and greenhouse plants, — and also for other purposes connected with the 

 flower-garden, &c. Hotbeds made in the ordinary way are very suitable, and 

 have their advantages, and where the material is plentiful, they are probably 

 the best; but a very useful bed for propagating and raising seeds, &c., is 

 made as follows : — Having prepared the dung as usual, lay the foundation as 

 for an ordinary bed, but commence from the bottom an opening which leaves 

 the bed hollow, as shown in the margin ; the sides and ends of the bed are 

 narrowed at an angle from the bottom, which leaves the interior in the form 

 seen in the section ; drain-pipes are laid to conduct the heat from the linings 

 into this hollow, which is covered by boards being laid across, on which the 

 frame rests ; the boards may then be covered with soil, ashes, tan, or dung, 

 while the heat of the bed lasts ; the pipes must be plugged up, but opened 

 n^hen lining is applied, to conduct the heat into the bed. 



T466. Cucumbers in bearing should be copiously watered occasionally; if the 

 soil shows any symptoms of dryness underneath, they should be moistened 

 •overhead every day ; but this keeps the surface moist, while beneath it the soil 

 may become dry. This being frequently the cause of plants going oflf, it 

 should be guarded against by examining the soil before syringing. If the soil 

 is not sufficiently moist, take care to water plentifully, as at this time of the 

 year there is less danger of overwatering. If the weather is hot, and not too 

 dry, the lights may be pulled quite off for an hour or two before 8 a.m. and 

 ■after 5 p.m. ; but see that the plants are not chilled before closing. Pickling 

 cucumbers may be planted in the open ground at the beginning of this month ; 

 the soil should be well dug, and made pretty firm again, and well mulched 

 after the plants are put in. Choose a warm sheltered spot for them, and place 

 hand-glasses over them if they can be spared. Attend to former directions as 



