CH. 2.] CUCUMBERS. 25 



that the plants are apt to be burnt with too 

 violent a heat, and blanched with the rank 

 fteam wherewith thefe beds abound. 

 Thefe objections, I confefs, are weighty ; 

 and, I believe, but too well-founded in ge- 

 neral. But, I have the happinefs to fay, 

 that I have forced Cucumbers and melons 

 many years, and, twice excepted, have ne- 

 ver had my plants injured in the fmalleft 

 degree by too violent a heat, or too rank a 

 fteam ; and, if my mode of practice, which 

 I (hall endeavour to explain below, is fol- 

 lowed, I prefume it will be found to be the 

 leaft perplexing, the leaft expenfive, and 

 perhaps the moft productive, of any yet 

 laid before the public. 



It is a fubjed of regret *, that Mr Mac- 

 Phial's method has failed of the defired 

 fuccefs. Neverthelefs, I believe not many 

 gardeners regret it much ; for (the objeCl 

 of trouble afide) it evidently tends to em- 

 poverifh the kitchen-garden, by depriving 

 it, in a great meafure, of its common aild 

 neceilary refource for manure. 



Trials have been made to force thefe 



fruits on the old beds of the former year, 



j 



by 



For himfelf. 



