196 OF RAISING CUCUMBERS. SECT. XIV. 



grow, only their having no mould to them will occa- 

 sion a little loss of time till they have struck root 

 again. Thus having settled the plants, shut the, lights 

 close till all is thorough warm, and then give a little 

 air ; if the mould put round the roots be dry, give a 

 little water. 



Management as to air, covering, watering, lining, 

 and guarding against burning, steaming, &c. is now 

 to occupy the constant attention of the gardener: On 

 these heads, what has been before said may serve for 

 instruction now ; only as the season advances, and 

 the plants get strong, the more air and watering may 

 be ventured on, and if the heat of the bed is good, 

 less covering will do. As the season advances, water 

 earlier in the morning, or later in the afternoon, so 

 as not to have a full sun come directly upon the 

 leaves while wet; for drops of water act as convex 

 glasses, to draw the rays of the sun to a focus, and 

 thus scorches. As the bed gets cool by any means, 

 use zcater the more sparingly; and in this case, espe- 

 cially, avoid wetting the shanks of the plants much. 

 It will be known when water must be given, by the 

 larger leaves flagging, without any violent sun to oc- 

 casion an extraordinary perepiration. Bottles of 

 water may be kept in the frame, which is preferable 

 to that warmed at a fire; yet the latter must be used 

 when there is not enough of the former, to water so 

 widely and deeply as necessary. When the frame 

 gets full of vine, it gets full of 'root; and as by this 

 time the days get long, aqd may be siyiny, a good 

 portion of water for the whole may be wanted 

 twice (or perhaps thrice) a week, from a watering 

 pot. 



Air should be given (as before directed) in fine 

 w-eather to a tilt of three inches, or more. While 

 there is a brisk heat in the bed, give a little air on 

 nights. If the bed gets cold, it may be helped, by 



