ON COMMON DUNG BEDS. 37 



February, March, and April, more may be 

 given; always, however, in the morning, and 

 only when there is a prospect of the plants 

 becoming dry by covering-up time. It is a 

 bad practice to water late in the afternoon, 

 even in April, May, and June, as the confined 

 air, during the night, causes the damp to settle 

 on the blossom of the fruit, when it destroys 

 the pollen ; and fruit so injured will seldom swell 

 freely. If the soil within the frame be mode- 

 rately moist, it will be sufficient for the night 

 without late waterings. Where a doubt is 

 entertained on this point, give a little to the 

 sides of the frame, and not to the plants. In 

 dull weather never water the plants, but the 

 mould only. 



Keeping the cucumber plants regularly 

 stopped is of the utmost importance ; and it 

 should always be done, as previously noticed 

 (see p. 8), with the finger and thumb. The 

 shoots should never be suffered to get into a 

 crowded state, otherwise they will become weak 



