and the Forcing of the Cucumber. 



403 



of Britain, is greatly injurious to the health and vigor of the 

 plants ; to obviate this, the other methods were adopted, and 

 they have been so improved upon by the practical men we 

 have just named, that but a small portion of time and care, 

 compared with that formerly required, is necessary to fruit 

 the cucumber successfully. 



Several years since, we wished to erect one of these pits ; 

 after a careful and particular examination of the advantages 

 of each, we came to the conclusion to build one on the 

 principle of Mr. West, but with many and very material alter- 

 ations, which we still think great improvements upon the 

 system. We have found it to answer every purpose, and 

 forcing can be carried on from January to January again, 

 without the slightest interruption from snow and severe cold. 

 It would be occupying too much time to attempt a descrip- 

 tion of Mr. West's pit — and perhaps we should not be under- 

 stood without the aid of engravings ; we therefore defer this, 

 and give the following plans of the one we have had erected, 

 and which we have had constantly in use ; afterwards sta- 

 ting, as briefly and explicitly as possible, the alterations we 

 have made from that of Mr. West. 



The pit (figs. 21 , 22 and 23) is nine feet six inches in length, 

 and five feet six inches wide, measuring from the outside; 

 the back wall is six feet six inches, and the front, five feet 

 six inches high. The sashes are three in number, each two 



feet ten inches wide, 

 and four feet eight 

 inches long, and are 

 each set with four 

 rows of seven-by- 

 nine inch glass. The 

 pit is built of brick, 

 and both the outer 

 and inner walls are 

 laid with them on 

 the edge, as in the 

 plan (fig. 21, a b). 

 Underneath the earth of the bed, is a chamber (c), in which 

 is to be introduced manure, when ready for forcing, through 

 the doors in front {d d) . Over this chamber, and resting in the 

 perforations in the inner wall, are placed strong pieces of joist, 

 or plank {fig. 22, e), of the thickness of about two and a half 

 inches by three, at the distance of one foot from each other; 

 on these, slate stones (which are preferred), brush or small 

 sticks are laid, covered with two or three inches of dry 

 leaves, on which to place the earth (/), and prevent its fall- 

 ing through the interstices of the stones or brush. In the 

 centre of the chamber is placed a half barrel or large keg (g) ; 



21 



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