MONTHLY CALENDAR. 687 



te who would bear up bravely and succeed in spite of November fogs, has now 

 to remember Shakspeare's precept against ill-fortune : — 



" You were used 

 To say, extremity was the trier of spirits ; 

 That common chances common men could bear, 

 That, when the sea was calm, all boats alike 

 Show'd mastership in floating. But Fortune's blows. 

 When most struck home, being gently warded, crave 

 A noble cunning." 



P. T. F. 



§ 8.— Hotbed and Frame Ccltivation. 



2162. Cucumbers and melons will require the same treatment as that re- 

 commended in January. Heat is most necessary, and, to a certain degree, 

 ihe more the better : in some families they are wanted all the year round. 

 This, of course, necessitates the culture of them at this time of the year as well 

 as any other ; and although the difficulty is greater, in pi-oportion to the short- 

 ening days and colder air, still they can be grown, and in some cases must be 

 grown. Let the young gardener remember that the main secret in growing 

 them is a steady moist heat that never falls below 70°, and is better kept 

 up to 80°, and may advantageously be elevated to 90° in the daytime. They 

 must receive no chill ; so long as the roots woi-k kindly, and the leaves revel in 

 a sweet moist heat, they will do well. It is needless to repeat directions that 

 have already been given in full ; but this much more may be said, the causes 

 of success or faihire should be observed and remembered ; it is only by so 

 doing that proficiency is to be attained. The best cultivators will affirm that 

 they have had many failures ; but failure has given no discouragement, but 

 rather afforded a stimulus to increased effort till success has rewarded their 

 pains. 



2163. Cold Frames. — I have observed that the plants in these are often 

 treated as if they were more tender than they really are. The object is 

 not so much to stimulate them into growth, but to protect them from such 

 injury from frost and storms as tbey would bo exposed to in the open air. 

 Corn salad, endive, lettuce, cauliflower, parsley, carrots, radishes, onions, 

 and many more light crops, are not so tender but that they will stand out 

 of doors ; but then they keep so much better and fresher imder the protec- 

 tion of frames, that it is well worth while to have a few lights devoted to 

 them. They also begin to grow rather earlier in the spring, and continue 

 growing later in the autumn, than they would do if quite exposed ; but it 

 should be strictly observed not to keep them in any way close, so as to breed 

 mould. If any mouldiness accrue, it is a sure sign that they are kept too 

 close. Let the plants have full exposure as much as possible, just as if the 

 plants were growing out of doors, with just the aid of the lights to protect 

 them in case of sharp fi-osts, heavy rains, snow, fog, or winds, should they 

 be more than ordinary. Water should be given rather carefully. Avoid 



