THE CUCUMBER. 369 



each, to separate it from the damp soil of the bed. During 

 the process of growth, the fruit is usually turned once a 

 week, to expose all sides in succession to the rays of the 

 sun ; but, in turning, care must be taken not to twist the 

 foot-stalk, as this would probably destroy the fruit 

 altogether. At this period water is given with moderation, 

 and abundance of air is admitted. The fruit should in 

 general be gathered before it be fully ripe. Its approach- 

 ing maturity is known by the appearance of a number of 

 cracks near the footstalk, and by its exhaling a rich odor. 

 When ripe, it should be taken off in the morning, and kept 

 in a cool place till served up ; if this precaution be not at- 

 tended to, there will be a considerable deficiency of flavor. 

 The kind called Winter Grecian Melon is described by Mr. 

 Lawson (Manual, p. 407) as possessing the desirable pro- 

 perty of keeping good for several months, if suspended in 

 a fine net, in a cool, airy room. 



The average heat required for the successful growth of 

 melons is about 70 Fahrenheit. In the common hot bed, 

 this is maintained by defending the bed during the night, 

 and by applying linings from time to time. In pits heated 

 by hot-water circulation, this is easily effected at any sea- 

 son ; and were it not that the included air is apt to become 

 too dry, especially in winter, when much heat is required, 

 such pits ought doubtless to supersede the hotbed frame 

 altogether. At present the old methods, partly it may be 

 from custom, are still principally employed. It is unneces- 

 sary to give minute directions respecting the management 

 of melons in pits ; as, in these, the mode of procedure re- 

 commended for hot beds will, with some trifling variations, 

 also prove successful. 



The CUCUMBER ( Cucumis sativus), like the melon, is a 

 16* 



