46 



CHAP. VII. 

 ON THE REGULATION OF THE TEMPERATURE. 



If we figure to our minds, a .plant which in its native 

 habitat enjoys a climate far more genial, and a tempera- 

 ture far more elevated, than our own country affords, it 

 must be obvious that some regulation, and increase of 

 temperature, either positively, by the artificial application 

 of heat, or negatively, by affording shelter and protection, 

 will be required in order to ensure any degree of success 

 in its cultivation. The Cucumber is a reputed native of 

 the East, and we have therefore in this supposed fact, 

 an indication of the nature of the climate, which it should 

 be our object to provide for it; but still it must be borne 

 in mind, that in conducting any system of artificial culti- 

 vation, it is not at all times desirable, or even safe, to 

 supply a resemblance to any part of the natural circum- 

 stances affecting the growth of a particular plant, unless 

 we have the means of supplying the greater part, or all 

 the conditions which exist in a state of nature : this I shall 

 again have occasion to refer to. 



By another step we arrive at the conclusion that the 

 standard of temperature, to which the Cucumber is sub- 

 mitted in its cultivation in this country, is a point, vary- 

 ing with the individual opinion of cultivators ; as some 

 may take a part of the natural conditions of growth as 

 their rule ; others, all these circumstances ; and others, 

 again, various combinations of them. 



Referring back again to the provisions of nature, we 

 can scarcely hesitate to conclude, that in clear sunny 

 weather, the temperature to which the Cucumber is sub 



