CUCUMBER. 53 



up the lieat ; air should then be admitted for a few days, dur- 

 ing the day, by tilting up the sash at the back a few inches, 

 to allow the steam to pass off, which it generally does in four 

 or five days or less. Supposing the bed now in order, put in 

 a quantity (three barrow-loads) of light, rich loam : none bet- 

 ter than that from the surface of the woods. In two or three 

 days the earth will be sufficiently warm for sowing the seeds. 

 If the i^lants are to be removed into other frames, sow them 

 in pots ; if not to be removed, sow them in a hill made in the 

 centre of the bed, by placing one barrow-full more of earth in 

 it. Sow a few dozen seeds to meet contingencies, or any extra 

 supply, in pots, in case of damping off — which frequently hap- 

 pens in cloudy Winter weather. Cover the sash at night with 

 straw mats, or any similar protection, and surround the bed 

 with litter or boards, to keep the piercing winds from carrying 

 off the heat. The seed should be two or three years old ; (it is 

 better than new seed, which goes more to vine than fruit. ) 

 It will be up in twenty-four hours, and in two or three days 

 will grow into strong plants. During their growth, admit 

 fresh air every day at the back; give the young plants 

 as much light as ^possible ; when they have attained their 

 third rough leaf, nip the point off the vine, to cause it to 

 branch. If the soil or the plants appear to be dry, give them 

 water in the forenoon, which has been kept in the bed during 

 the previous night, that it may be in a warm state. The 

 plants succeed best when they are transplanted, and plant them 

 deep enough for the earth to reach to their seed-leaves. As the 

 plants grow, roots will protrude from their stems, to which earth 

 may be drawn. The roots will also appear through the hill, 

 to which a farther supply of fresh soil may be added. When 

 the plants have grown and the san is very warm, they may flag 

 or droop : if so, sprinkle a few straws or a very thin mat on 

 the glass, right over them, about mid-day ; but it is best to 

 grow them without this precaution ; and it is unnecessary, when 

 they have sufficient moisture, heat, and depth of soil. The 



