CUCUMBER. 85 



part light rich loam and three of vegetable earth 

 should be put on the bed full ten inches in depth, 

 as much as will also be wanted for pits. In a day 

 or two the earth will be sufficiently warm for sowing 

 the seed, either in pots or pans, which may be 

 plunged to half their depth. The quantity of plants 

 wanted is easily calculated, as each three-light 

 frame will require ten or a dozen, if not more; 

 and, at all events, let seed enough be sown, not 

 only for certain wants, but to make good any 

 contingencies which frequently happen at this 

 season of the year. Should the weather prove 

 severe at the time this work is going forward, a 

 good lining of dry straw or litter must be laid 

 round the bed to keep in the heat, and prevent the 

 sudden chill, to which dung hot-beds are so liable 

 at this season of the year, as the writer, as well as 

 his brother gardeners, can abundantly testify. The 

 seed soon vegetates, and in two or three days 

 grows up into strong plants, at which time care 

 should be taken every day to admit fresh air, par- 

 ticularly if a heavy steam has arisen in the bed ; 

 and this should be let off by tilting the light more 

 or less, according to the weather ; a very little will 

 at most times do. A single mat covering also in 

 the evening will be necessary; but it must be taken 

 off about sunrise in the morning, to give the young 

 plants all possible benefit of light and sun, which 

 are most essential to their successful growth. It 

 will be also requisite at times to examine the bot- 

 toms of the pots that are plunged ; arid if found too 

 hot, or if there is the least likelihood of the earth 

 burning (a fatal disease), which is known by the 

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