and the Forcing of the Cucumber. 125 



or as soon as the sun's rays fall upon the sashes ; and in very warm 

 days, which frequently happen, toward the latter part of the month, 

 draw them half off, so as to admit of a good current of air through 

 the bed. Shut up seasonably in the afternoon, as soon as the 

 plants have been refreshed with water, and cover the sashes at 

 sunset. Do not neglect to look over the vines every morning, and 

 impregnate every pistillate flower ; for although the bees, at this 

 season, sometimes enter the bed, and a current of air passes through 

 it almost every day, yet where the leaves are crowded, neither 

 reach them to have any good effect. 



Four barrows of fresh manure were added to-day. Tempera- 

 ture, 68°, 78°, 66°. The cool weather of the last few days has 

 caused a decline in the heat. 



5th. Added two barrows of fresh manure. The heat has 

 become brisk, and the fruit swells very fast ; five cucumbers were 

 cut on the 2d, and two yesterday, some of them measuring twelve 

 inches in length. Temperature, 72°, 76°, 75° ; of the soil, 82°. 



12th. Since the last date, twenty-eight fruits have been cut 

 from the plants ; the heat of the bed has been most remarkably 

 retained. Air is admitted sufficiently to keep the thermometer at 

 95° in the middle of the day. Temperature, 75°, 90°, 80°. 



iSth. Heat declined some the past week, and three barrows of 

 fresh dung were added to the bed. The plants will now extend 

 themselves exceedingly fast, and care must be taken to stop them 

 at every joint, and make them throw out fruit ; trim out the runners 

 where they cross one anotlier too thickly, and peg them down in 

 handsome order, as before directed ; cut away all broken and yel- 

 low leaves, and keep the air as free from impurity as possible. 

 Lay the joints by drawing up the soil each side, after the pegs are 

 put in ; be careful not to cover them, as they are liable to damp 

 off, if dull weather ensues. Temperature, 78°, 89°, 80°. 



24th. Fourteen cucumbers, of fine size, have been cut the last 

 six days. The heat having declined, two barrows of manure were 

 taken out, and five of fresh put in. That in the pit was well fork- 

 ed up before the new was added. Temperature, 75°, 75°, 75°. 



29th. The heat uncommonly brisk ; five fruits cut yesterday. 

 Temperature, 80°, 89°, 80°. 



June Sd. — Removed two barrows of manure, and added four to 

 the pit. The covering to the sashes may be mostly left oft', unless 

 in cold rainy nights. The sashes may, also, in the latter part of 

 the month, be allowed to remain open an inch or two during the 

 night. Give water freely, and occasionally manure water. Tem- 

 perature, 75°, 89°, 80°. 



12th. Heat brisk. Temperature, 82°, 96°, 81° ; of the soil, 

 88°- Twenty-one fruits have been cut since the tliird of the 

 month, and all of fine size. We have so far enumerated the quan- 

 tity of fruit cut ; but we think there is no necessity for a repetition 



