'23 



would not be the only advantage, for as the covering 

 would to a great extent prevent the radiation of heat from 

 the internal atmosphere, so would it also prevent the 

 necessity of the application of so powerful a degree of fire 

 heat at night; and thus the plants would be permitted to 

 enjoy that natural season of repose so essential to their 

 well being, instead of being forced into growth by reason 

 of a high temperature kept up, solely for the purpose of 

 obviating the external cold. 



CHAP. III. 

 ON THE PROPAGATION OF THE CUCUMBER. 



Cucumbers are propagated by cuttings, by layers, and 

 by seeds ; the two former of these methods being fre- 

 quently practised by those who have conveniences to keep 

 their plants growing throughout the year; the latter 

 being adopted either through choice or necessity, by the 

 majority of cultivators, or those whose means will not 

 enable them, even if they desired it, to keep up conti- 

 nually a successional growth. 



Propagation by cuttings has many advantages to recom- 

 mend it, especially when viewed in connection with the 

 production of winter fruit. The plants raised by this mode 

 of treatment, in comparison with those raised from seeds, 

 are less gross and succulent in their nature, and more 

 subdued in their manner of growth ; whether it may be 

 that having mature and perfectly formed parts, they are 

 enabled to assimilate their food more rapidly, than young 

 and imperfectly formed plants can do ; or whether it is 

 owing to any difference in the balance between the roots 

 and leaves, which latter organs, in cuttings, and the for- 



