OF THE CUCUMBER. 57 



afliftance of artificial heat. Therefore, as the natural 

 heat of this climate is deficient in its production, 

 thofe who wifh to have it in perfection, muil have 

 irecourfe to art to fupply the infufficiency of nature. 



Late in the fpring, and in the fummer months, 

 the heat of tan, or of the leaves of trees, may do ^ 

 but in the winter and early in the fpring, fomething 

 that raifes a more powerful heat than thefe is 

 required. 



A place could be fo conftrudled that cucumbers 

 might be cultivated therein by means of the fleam of 

 water ; but it would, I apprehend, be attended with 

 fuch expenfe that few would be willing to adopt the 

 method, even fuppofmg it were found to anfwer the 

 purpofe better than dung ; w^hich I am inclined to 

 think it would not do, becaufe I conceive that the 

 heat which is produced by fire, cannot be kept fo 

 fleady as that which is produced by the fermentation 

 of dung. 



Cucumber plants will grow in a hot-houfe where. 

 the pine-apple is cultivated ; but they will not be 

 very long-lived there, for that is not a healthy climate 

 for them. 



Dung Is the only thing yet found out, by the 

 heat of which the cucumber may be advantageoufly 

 cultivated. 



It is not poffible, nor is it neceifary, to keep the 

 air in the frames always up to the fame degree of 

 heat ; but extremes on either fide are dangerous, and 

 fliould be carefully avoided, 



There 



