CUCUMBER. 103 



ing of mats will be necessary, which may more con- 

 veniently be done by arching the bed over with rods 

 or hoops. When it is observed that the plants have 

 nearly filled the glasses, air should be gradually 

 given all round, which will harden the plants pre- 

 paratory to their being finally let out, still putting 

 on the covering at night. Previously to the plants 

 being turned from under the glasses, the surface of 

 the ridge should be lightly stirred, and the whole 

 covered with some dry stuff, about an inch or two in 

 thickness ; and as a preventive against insects, a 

 little soot should be scattered over the surface. 

 After this is done, the runners should be regularly 

 laid out, and, if necessary, pegged down ; but this 

 is seldom required after placing the glasses regu- 

 larly over the plants, for each of which glasses three 

 brickbats or such like will be wanted. Should one 

 runner start considerably over another, it may be 

 stopped near the point. However, too much of 

 that stopping under hand-glasses only causes con- 

 fusion, and will require the knife some time or 

 other in the season. The market gardeners about 

 London, who have 500 or more glasses, only give 

 air on one side ; and the author has observed the 

 few shoots that are let out thence, to be three or 

 four feet long. A different mode of culture, how- 

 ever, is required for private gardens, where the 

 number of glasses is limited. 



Little more need be said of hand-glass culture, 

 except as regards the watering, keeping the ridge 

 clear of weeds, and continuing the covering frequent 

 and moderate in dry weather ; and should the early 

 part of the autumn prove cold and wet, occasional 

 H 4 



