OF EARLY CUCUMBERS. 39 



the afternoon, about an hour before they are 

 covered up. They will, however, require air in 

 the night, generally till the fruit is cut, and even 

 then if the weather is mild ; for by being kept 

 close at night when there is a strong heat, the 

 fruit is liable to change colour and become of 

 a yellow cast. 



The plants should be uncovered in a morning 

 by eight o'clock, or nine at farthest, in the winter, 

 and six or seven as the season advances, unless 

 the weather is very cold or windy, when they 

 may remain an hour longer than usual. 



Should the frame be infested with wood- 

 lice, place some cabbage-leaves or a small 

 quantity of hay in the bed, which will answer 

 the purpose of a trap to collect them, when they 

 may be easily destroyed by boiling water. Care, 

 however, is necessary in this expedient, for should 

 the plants have taken root at the side of the 

 box, the hot water will materially injure them ; 

 but if the plants are kept healthy, little danger 

 is to be apprehended from this description of 



