CUCUMBER. 89 



hillocks or in a ridge ; if for the former, a sufficient 

 quantity should be put into the centre of each 

 light, so as to support the plants when turned out 

 of the pots, a few inches from the glass, under 

 which four of the best plants may be set and 

 planted, an inch or two lower than they were in 

 the pots ; at the same time, if an inch or two of dry 

 mould is strewed over the vacant space of the bed, 

 it will be the means of checking an over quantity 

 of steam, which is so apt, at this early season, to 

 weaken the plants. After a few hours' closing of 

 the lights, should the steam be observed to rise 

 heavily, a little air should be given when they are 

 covered up in the evening. For this purpose a 

 single mat will suffice for a few days ; but this de- 

 pends more or less on the weather. In few days 

 after the plants are set out, the mould at the bottom 

 of the drills or ridge of earth should be examined, and 

 if there is the least appearance of burning, a few holes 

 should be made with a dibble, and a little water poured 

 therein, and by being left open for a few days, will 

 most likely stop its progress. It arises principally 

 from an over haste in moulding the bed, especially 

 if the dung had not been sufficiently worked before. 

 As a preventive, the author recommends turf, an 

 inch or two thick, to be laid with the green side 

 downwards, about a foot in diameter for the drills, 'or 

 the same breadth as the mould is in the centre. 

 Should it have happened that the burnt mould has 

 much accumulated, it should be carefully drained 

 away and fresh put in its room. When it is ob- 

 served that roots similar to white threads, begin to 

 get through the mould in either way of planting, a 



