Improved Frame for forcing Cucumbers. 



459 



Art. XII. Description of an improved Frame for forcing Cucum- 

 bers or Melons. By T. A. Parker, Esq., A.M. 



Where stable muck is easily to be had, it may be applied 

 to this purpose at no expense beyond a little labour; and, if it 

 be desired to pursue the plan upon an extended scale, hot 

 water in metal pipes may be provided in aid of stable muck. 

 Both together would make the arrangement particularly com- 

 plete and economical. 



It is my intention at present to limit the hot-bed to the 

 smallest scale, and confine the plan to the application of stable 

 muck ,' but I propose at no distant time, in another communi- 

 cation, to extend the arrangement, with the addition of pipes 

 containing hot water. 



I have used a hot-bed of this kind for a few years with 

 great success. I need not detail the quantity of fruit 

 raised in this manner, because the practical gardener will 

 immediately perceive the advantages of the plan ; and, in 

 truth, an accvu'ate account of the produce has not been kept. 



This hot-bed is about 6 ft. 

 square in the clear, the stone 

 sides or kerbs being about 

 one foot high, presenting a 

 glazed gable end to the south 

 {fg. 82.), a boarded gable 

 end to the north, and on the 

 east and west two sashes on 

 each side, about 4 ft. long by 

 3 ft. wide : the tops of the 

 sashes being furnished with 

 thimbles are hinged to a 



rod of round iron of about five eighths of an inch in diameter, 



running above the ridge board, 

 A platform of slate flags, 



supported by stone pillars of, 



about 2^ ft. high, receives the 



stone kerbs, &C.5 {fg. 83.) 



and admits of the muck being 



removed wholly or in part, 



it being at first heaped up 



under and round the platform 



and stone kerbs. I have the 



advantage of being able to 



get slate flags so large as from 



three to four yards square, if 



desired, at the cost of \s. 3d. 



per square yard, if squared ; 



