l)0 OF RAISING- CUCUMBERS. SECT. 



roots smooth towards the centre, and the leaves to- 

 wards the edge of the pot ; cover up to the top, and 

 give the earth a gentle pressure : the root ends may 

 be dipt, if long. 



If the mould is very dry, and the bed hot, a little 

 water may be immediately given to the roots; but if 

 otherwise, the next day will be best. 



Give very little .air the first day, but afterwards 

 more, as the sun shines or not, or the day is mild or 

 sharp, still or windy. As the plants get older and 

 hardier, air may be given up to two inches, when 

 there is a good heat, and extraordinary fine weather, 

 to three or four inches of tilt; For this purpose, 

 wedges of wood, about four inches thick at the wide 

 end, are proper. If suspicious of the air coming in 

 too suddenly, tack a bit of cloth or mat before the 

 place. Air is to be given in different degrees, regu- 

 larly as the weather alters in the course of the day ; 

 a little air in the morning, more as the day ad- 

 vances, and less again as it declines. 



Cucumbers will not do well, if the air in the bed is 

 long confined, or stagnant : Sun is necessary as well 

 as air, but as that we cannot furnish, every advantage 

 that is in our power we should not fail to make use 

 of with care. The plants are to be nursed, and pre- 

 served moderately warm, by keeping the pots plunged 

 less or more in the bed, placing them towards the 

 outsides of the frame when there is a great heat, and 

 more in' the middle when it is moderate. 



Keep some mould round the inside of the frame, 

 ready to earth up the pots to the rim, as the heat dc* 

 dines. There should not be less than two, or more 

 than three inches depth of mould, in the intermediate 

 spaces of the frame : for when the bed is moulded too 

 thick, it keeps down the heat too much,, and occasions 

 turning. Young plants should be guarded from much 



