72 THE FORCING GARDEN. 



the days draw out. Grive top ventilation during hot 

 sunny weather ; shade and close at four o'clock. 



Shading. I have found that a green shade of a light 

 nature is a good thing and that a very thin transparent 

 green paint laid on the glass outside for the summer is 

 good for some things. But for Cucumbers I can hardly 

 recommend it ; fine green gauze is as good as anything 

 for shading the sunny side of the roof, but none will 

 be required for the north side. If the gauze is sewn 

 together, with tapes sewn all round the edge, and one 

 across the whole width (i.e. the width of the south 

 roof), at distances of three feet, it can then be tacked 

 on the roof and strained quite tight. The shading 

 may remain on during the hot months without any 

 harm. 



When the young Cucumber plants begin to bear 

 the old ones should be removed, for they will only en- 

 gender numerous insect pests. Clear all out, therefore, 

 soil and all, except a few inches to form a surface on 

 which to place pots of Balsams, Cockscombs, young 

 Primulas, &c. I am not disposed to raise the expecta- 

 tions of anyone too high, but I may assert for a fact 

 that by good practical judgment and management such 

 a house can be made to pay more than the cost of 

 erection the first year, but not if you go to professional 

 builders, for then such a house complete will cost fully 

 501. more, heating apparatus and all. For the satis- 

 faction of some I may venture on an estimate of what 

 may be made from such a house the whole year in and 

 out : Asparagus, say 201. ; early Cucumbers, say 800 

 at Is. each, 401. ; late ditto, 800 at 6cZ. each, 201. ; cut 

 Lily-of-the-valley from the pit across the end, say 

 2,000 spikes, more or less, at Si. per 1,000, 16L; 300 



