84 On the Construction of Brick Pits^ 



for two or three days, nothing was done but to give air 

 during each day ; watering the plants, if requiring it, and 

 covering up the sashes at night. The covering up of the 

 sashes is very important, as it tends greatly to keep an 

 even temperature. That which we have found to answer 

 the best purpose, and guard against the cold in the most 

 efficient manner, was a covering of mats and hay, laid on 

 as mentioned previously : this should be continued until 

 April, on no account omitting a single night, however favor- 

 able the weather may be at sunset ; for we have repeatedly 

 known the thermometer to stand at 32° at that time, and 

 fall as low as zero before daylight. 



4th. Temperature of the air in the bed, 64°, 75°, 66° ; 

 of the soil, 75°. Air was admitted in greater quantity to- 

 day, the sashes being opened an inch at the back. The 

 plants Avere slightly watered. Three pots more of cucum- 

 ber seeds were sown to-day, in order to have a few plants 

 to replace the others, should they meet with any accident 

 by which their growth Avould be retarded. We have sometimes 

 had those of the first sowing damj) off when the weather had 

 continued cloudy for some days, especially when they were 

 first hilled out, it being very difficult to prevent this ; Avhile 

 those still growing in pots can be kept dry or moist at pleas- 

 ure ; and ansAver, as a resource, in any case. 



7th. To-day, two barrows of fresh manure were added, 

 the heat having subsided a httle. Temperature, 60°, 64°, 

 60° ; of the soil, 70° ; this being too low for their successful 

 growth. 



10th. The plants of the last sowing, up to-day; look 

 healthier than the first, from their longer time of vegetating. 

 The temperature of the open air being moderate, (above 

 32°), and the weather fine, more air was given; the plants 

 acquiring more strength and vigor every day. 



14th. Added four barrows of manure to the pit to-day: 

 Temperature, 64°, 65°, 63° ; of the soil, 75°. Cucumbers of 

 the first sowing, show their rough leaves. 



17th. Heat brisker, and more air admitted. Tempera- 

 ture, 66°, 66°, 64°. Tlie plants being in a vigorous state of 

 growth, a barrow of soil, composed of two thirds leaf mould, 

 and one third light loam, was added to the bed, and placed 

 under the centre of each light, that it might become heated, 

 and ready for hilling the plants into, in a day or two. 



20th. Plants hilled out to-day. The soil was raised up 

 to within eight inches of the glass ; a hole sufficiently large 

 to receive the plants Avas made in each hill, and turning them 

 from the pots, very carefully, so as not to disturb the soil, 

 were placed therein ; the earth was drawn up round the 

 stems of each, close to the seed leaves, as from the stems 



