388 EORCINQ GARDEN. 



of melons is about 70° Fahrenheit, In the common 

 hotbed, this is maintained by defending the bed dur- 

 ing the night, and by applying linings from time to. 

 time. In pits. . heated by hot-water circulation, this is 

 easily effected at any season ; 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 cus- 

 tom, are.still principally employed. It 'is unnecessary 

 to give minute directions respecting the management of 

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

 commended for hotbeds will, with some trifling varia- 

 tions, also prove successful. 



The Cucumber- (Owcwmi's sativus)^ likes the melon, is 

 a tender annual, requiring, in England, the assistance of 

 artificial heat to bring it to perfection. It properly be- 

 longs to the class of culinary vegetables, being used in 

 salads and pickles." It has long . been cultivated in 

 England, where, however, its culture requires the closest 

 attention of the gardener. The sorts commonly grown 

 are. 



The Early Frame. Short Green Prickly. 



Syon House. Green Turkey*. 



Long Green Prickly. ^ Prize-fighter. 



Of these, the long and short prickly are well suited for 

 ridges in the open air. 



The culture of early cucumbers so much resembles 

 that of the melon that it would be usele^ss repetition to 

 enter into minute details. The cucumber, indeed, is 

 somewhat the hardier, and therefore in summer requires 

 less heat ; but in every other respect the management 



