62 ON THE GROWTH OF THE CUCUMBER 



adapted thereto the mean temperature of the 

 country in which it grows naturally being about 

 72. Failures in its forcing occur, in most in- 

 stances, from the want of a well-regulated top and 

 bottom heat. When the branches are in a heat of 

 70 or 80 (Fahrenheit) their roots require quite 

 as much ; and if they have 90, the fruit upon 

 them will swell much faster than in a lower tem- 

 perature. Without heat at the roots, early 

 cucumbers are not obtainable ; and if the heat 

 be too low they will remain stationary; but if 

 the heat be short at bottom, and too much at 

 the top, they soon become diseased and unpro- 

 ductive. Keep up therefore a good bottom heat, 

 at all times, and let it be sweet and moist, 

 ranging from 85 to 95, with the top heat as 

 before stated. 



Air. This subject has been already treated 

 of in the chapters on common frame culture, 

 and the same observations will apply here. 

 Fruit-bearing plants in pits as well as frames, 

 should have air at night, during the coldest 



