2 5 8 



FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



PEEPARING THE PIT FOE THE PLANTS, SOIL, ETC. 



In preparing a pit of this description for the culture 

 of cucumbers on trellises, fill it up inside with well- 

 sweetened stable-manure, and, when they can be had, 

 fresh oak-leaves, previously prepared as directed for 

 the seed-bed. In this case it is advisable that the 

 proportion of leaves should predominate, for the heat 

 will on that account be less violent, but more lasting. 



FIG. 22. 

 1, 1, 1, Dung and Leaves. 2 Soil. 



Shake it in in layers, and tread rather firmly. This 

 firm body of fermenting material will keep up a steady 

 bottom-heat for a long time. The space for the lining 

 requires to be filled with hot material at the same 

 time ; less firmly than in the inside, but quite up to 

 the top of the pit. The soil, consisting of equal parts 

 loam and leaf-mould, or very old hotbed manure, and 

 a little gritty sand or charred earth, to the depth of 

 10 inches, should be put in the pit at once. Then 

 knock the bottoms out of 11 -inch pots, and place 



