KITCHEN-GARDENING. 71 



soms. By this management, the young fruit will soon be 

 observed to swell freely." 



Cucumbers attain the proper size for gathering in from 

 fifteen to twenty days after the time of setting ; and often in 

 succession for two or three months or more, in the same beds, 

 by good culture. 



If it be desired to have Cucumbers in the open garden at 

 an early season, the plants may be raised and planted in a 

 warm border either in the earth or in hotbed ridges. A hand- 

 glass should be provided for each hill, which must be kept 

 close down every night and in cool days, taking care to admit 

 air when practicable. The plants may be hardened by de- 

 grees, by taking off the glass in the heat of the day ; and as 

 the weather gets warm, they may be left to nature. 



CHIVES, OK CIVES. 



CIVETTE. Allium schcenoprasum. 



This is a small species of Onion, and grows in large turfs. 

 It is propagated by offsets from the roots, and may be 

 planted either in spring or autumn in rows ten or twelve 

 inches apart, and the bulbs three or four inches apart in 

 the rows. They will soon take root, and increase very fast, 

 forming large bunches of bulbs. They make handsome edging 

 for beds or borders. 



EGG-PLANT. 



MELONGENE AU AUBERGINE. Solanum melongena. 

 The seed of the Purple Egg-plant may be sown in a hot- 

 bed about the first of March ; and the sashes must be kept 

 down close until the plants come up, after which a little air 



