52 ON THE GROWTH OF THE CUCUMBER 



outline, as being twenty-nine feet six inches 

 long, has nine lights, and took about 2,700 

 bricks to construct it, at a cost for bricks, 

 labour, lime, sand, cement, &c., of 7 13s. As 

 to durability, it will last at least fifty years, or 

 more ; thus clearly showing a great saving, as 

 compared with frames, which decay rapidly, and 

 constantly want repairs. 



In some situations the soil will not allow of an 

 excavation without admitting water into it ; 

 and when this is the case, a drain must be formed 

 to carry it off. This is done by sloping the in- 

 side of the pit from the back and front towards 

 the middle the whole length, along which a drain 

 is made with bricks, as follows : two rows are 

 laid flat, leaving a space between them of about 

 four inches, these are covered with another 

 course laid cross-ways, which must be carried 

 out at the front corner of the pit, and under the 

 cavity for the linings (which it drains as well as 

 the pit), the whole excavation slightly inclining 

 towards this point. Where much wet is appre- 



