KITCHEN-GARDENING. 69 



as soon as the plants have fully expanded their twc seed-leaves, 

 they may be transplanted into pots, putting three plants in 

 each pot ; when this is done, apply water warmed to the tem- 

 perature of the bed, and shut down the glasses, keeping them 

 a little shaded by throwing a mat over the glass, till the plants 

 have taken root. When they are about a month old, they 

 will be fit to transplant into the fruiting-bed. 



After the situation of the bed has been ascertained, the 

 heat regulated, and the earth formed into hills, raise one hill 

 in the centre under each sash, so that the earth is brought to 

 within nine inches of the glass ; in these hills plant three seed- 

 lings, or turn out such as may be in pots, with the balls of 

 earth about their roots, and thus insert one patch of three 

 plants in the middle of each hill. The plants should be im- 

 mediately watered with water heated to the temperature of 

 the bed, and kept shaded until they have taken root. 



The temperature should be kept up to 60, and may rise 

 to 80 without injury, provided the rank steam be allowed to 

 pass off; therefore, as the heat begins to decline, timely linings 

 of well-prepared dung must be applied all round the frame. 

 Begin by lining the back part first ; cut away the old dung 

 perpendicularly by the frame, and form a bank two feet broad, 

 to the height of a foot, against the back of the frames; as it 

 sinks, add more ; renew the linings round the remainder of 

 the bed as it becomes necessary, and be careful to let off the 

 steam and give air to the plants at all opportunities. 



Give young Cucumber plants necessary waterings, mostly in 

 the evening, in early forcing; and in the afternoon, in the 

 advanced season of hot, sunny weather. Some use water 

 impregnated with sheep or pigeon-dung. As the roots begin 

 to spread, and the vines to run, the hills should be enlarged 

 by gathering up the earth around them, for which purpose a 

 supply of good mould should be kept ready at hand, to be 

 used as required. 



When the plants have made one or two joints, stop them 

 by pinching off the tops, after which they generally put forth 



