. . , ■ or THE CUCUMBER. 8j. 



gpodnefs of the dung, and other unforefeen chcum- 

 itances, may deternihie. 



After the cucumber bed Is fet to work, heat and- 

 fweet moifture are the two pnncipal agents required 

 for promoting the growth and vigour of the plants y 

 therefore, if there be a heat kept in the linings llrong. 

 enough to keep the heat in the centre of the pits o£ 

 mould flucluating between 80 and 90 degrees, cold 

 water may be poured on the flues twice or thrice a 

 week. There is no danger of creating damps or 

 impure air iii the frames by watering the flues ; for 

 the water is no fooner poured on them, than it runs 

 down their fides, and pafles clear off through the 

 drains of the bed ; confequently \vater being poured 

 upon the flues, gives only a momentary check to the 

 heat of the frames ; for the flues being at all times 

 full of hot fleam, when the watering is finiflied, the 

 heat quickly refumes its former vivacity, and raifes a 

 warm vapour in the frames, well adapted for pro- 

 iiioting vegetation, and for increafmg the growth 

 and invigorating the plant in all its parts, 



The mould round about the fides of the pits clofe 

 againfl the inner fides of the flues, fhould be kept, 

 nearly on a level with the furface of the flues ; and 

 as it is the mould that joins to the flues which receives 

 the firfl and greatefl: heat from the linings, it fliould 

 continually be kept in a moifl: (late ; for if the mould 

 againfl: the flues be fufl^ered to become dry and huflvy, 

 air will be generated in the frames difagreeable to 

 the plants. 



F 4 During 



