122 FORCING CUCUMBERS. 



so that no water can settle under the dung. Tne substance 

 of dung from the bottom of the bed should be from three to 

 four feet, according to the season of planting, and the mould 

 should be laid on as soon as the bed is settled, and has a 

 lively, regular-tempered heat. Lay the earth evenly over 

 the dung, about six inches deep ; after it has lain a few days 

 examine it, and if no traces of a burning effect are disco- 

 vered, by the mould turning of a whitish colour and caking, 

 it will be fit to receive the plants ; but if the earth appears 

 burned, or has a rank smell, some fresh sweet mould should 

 be provided for the hills, and placed in the frame to get 

 warm ; at the same time, vacancies should be made to give 

 vent to the steam, by running down stakes. 



After the situation of the bed has been ascertained, and 

 the heat regulated, the hole should be closed, and the earth 

 formed into hills ; raise one hill in the centre under each 

 sash, so that the earth is brought to within nine inches of 

 the glass ; in these hills, plant three seedlings, or turn out"*- 

 such as may be in pots, with the balls of earth about their 

 roots, and thus insert one patch of three plants in the mid- 

 dle of each hill. The plants should be immediately watered 

 with water heated to the temperature of the bed, and kept 

 shaded till they have taken root. 



The temperature should be kept up to 60, and may rise 

 to 80 without injury, provided the rank steam be allowed 

 to pass off; therefore, as the heat begins to decline, timely 

 linings of well-prepared dung must be applied all round the 

 frame. Begin by lining the back part first ; cut away the 

 old dung perpendicularly by the frame, and form a bank two 

 feet broad, to the height of a foot, against the back of the 

 frames ; as it sinks, add more ; renew the linings round the 

 remainder of the bed as it becomes necessary, and be care- 

 ful to let off the steam, and give air to the plants at all op- 

 portunities. 



Give necessary waterings, mostly in the morning of a mild 

 day, in early forcing ; and in the afternoon^ in the advanced 



