CH. 2.] CUCUMBERS. 4! 



cutting by the middle or latter end of 

 March, if the weather has been tolerably 

 favourable. 



If the heat has by this time confiderably 

 decreafed, let preparations be made for 

 lining the back and both ends, by flightly 

 fermenting a quantity of frefh ftable-dung, 

 and mixing it, in the operation, with the 

 old fide and ends of the bed ; which let 

 be cut off, in the manner as directed for 

 theafparagus bed (See page 15.), and let it 

 be made up as it fubfides : after which, 

 cover it with turf or mould. The frame 

 muft be raifed with bricks or tiles occa- 

 lionally, as the plants advance in ftrength j 

 fo as to keep the glafs free of the foliage. 



By this time, alfo, the hills will require 

 to be enlarged ; as the roots will have made 

 great progrefs. Therefore, let the furface 

 of the bed be forked up with a fmall hand- 

 fork, fuch as is ufed for plunging pine-pots, 

 &c., to the depth of the furface of the fand 

 or tan ; and, if any of it has been burnt, 

 (which I have but twice experienced in 

 any hurtful degree), let it be replaced with 

 frefh mould : Work gently into the fides 

 of the hills with the fork, till the roots be- 

 gin 



