THE CUCUMBER. 253 



cess, it is necessary to get a quantity of stable-litter, 

 and, if possible, good oak-leaves, well mixed together, 

 in the first week of December. These materials should 

 be shaken up lightly into a compact heap. And in 

 order to sweat or sweeten it, it will require to be turned 

 over at intervals of four or five days, until it has 

 parted with its rank ammoniacal vapours, and assumed 

 a tanned colour. It is then ready to be formed into 

 a hotbed, for which a well- sheltered site open to the 

 south should be chosen. The bed should be 5 feet 

 high at the back, 4 feet at front, and 2 feet longer and 

 wider than the frame that is to be placed on it. Sup- 

 posing that cucumber-plants, and perhaps a few early 

 odds and ends, are all that are to be raised in the bed, 

 one light box of the ordinary size will be sufficient. 

 In building the bed, shake up the material well, lay it 

 on in regular layers, and beat it well down with the 

 back of the fork as the work proceeds, but do not 

 tramp it. When of the requisite height, place the 

 frame over it at once, and lay 6 inches of finely 

 pounded charcoal, sifted coal -ashes, or sawdust I 

 prefer the first named over the surface of the bed 

 inside the frame. Put on the light, and protect the 

 sides of the bed and frame itself from cold searching 

 winds and rains, which would soon cool it, and keep 

 the frame closed and covered up till the heat begins to 

 rise. Then give air by day, to let any rank vapour 

 that may arise from the manure escape. 



SOWING THE SEEDS, AND TREATMENT OF THE 

 YOUNG PLANTS. 



As soon as the heat reaches 70, and the atmosphere 

 is sweet, soak the cucumber-seeds in water for twelve 



