124 On the Construction of Brick Pits, 



it is apt to grow crooked and inferior flavored. Three barrows of 

 manure were taken out, and four of fresh added to-day ; this was 

 well forked up with the old manure, and stowed up at the back of the 

 pit. Temperature, 72°, 75°, 66° ; of the soil, 80°. 



19th. The heat having declined, two barrows of fresh manure 

 were added to-day. The plants now grow vigorously, and numer- 

 ous blossoms expand every day ; a number of fruit will be ready 

 to cut in a week or ten days. Give large quantities of air every 

 favorable opportunity, and do not omit to supply the plants with 

 plenty of water, as they delight in this element, and soon show 

 when it is not duly given. Cut away all decayed leaves, and pre- 

 serve the air in the bed as pure as possible ; cucumber plants are 

 often injured by an impure atmosphere. Temperature, 68°, 68°, 

 66" ; of the soil, 76°. 



26th. Cut four more cucumbers to-day. The temperature of the 

 bed has become quite brisk, and the fruit swells very rapidly. The 

 bed is looked over every morning. Temperature, 70°, 95°, 75° ; 

 of the soil, 82°. 



28th. Cut two fruits, measuring ten inches in length. The 

 plants continue to acquire more vigor. 



30th. Cut eight cucumbers, some of them measuring eleven 

 inches in length. Large quantities of water are given every night, 

 and as much air admitted as will keep the thermometer below 100^ 

 in the middle of the day. 



May 1st. — The season has now become so far advanced, that 

 but little care will be required in the cultivation of the plants, com- 

 pared with that of the two previous months. Indeed, through this 

 and the succeeding months, they need no more attention than is 

 given to many other kinds of vegetables, when it is intended to grow 

 them to perfection. The covering must be continued until the 

 latter part of the month ; as the sudden changes in our climate, 

 and the cold easterly winds which are sometimes prevalent in this 

 month, keep the heat in a fluctuating state ; the benefit of this 

 practice will be quickly perceived in the health and vigor of the 

 plants, and the kind and rapid swelling of the fruit, which will now 

 be produced in the greatest abundance. Sudden checks in the 

 temperature of the bed are more injurious to the successful culti- 

 vation of tire plants, than most all other causes together ; and 

 when they are in full bearing, they are most especially to be guard- 

 ed against ; this should ever be in the mind of the gardener, who 

 would wish to be called a good grower of forced vegetables or 

 fruits. 



Water and air must be given in greater quantities, and, if con- 

 venient, liquid manure, m a rather weak state, may be supplied 

 once or twice a week ; this is not of so much consequence now, as 

 later in the season, when the strength of the soil is more exhausted ; 

 but it may be occasionally applied : give air early in the morning, 



