128 



wheels ; and in winter, during the cold and 

 frosty days, they could be drawn back 

 into certain high covered buildings, ex- 

 posed to the sun, and there housed under 

 roof." These appear to be the earliest ac- 

 counts of the forcing of plants which we 

 read of in ancient times. It is probable, also, 

 that artificial heat was used ; as we find, by 

 the remains of their villas in this country, how 

 perfectly the Romans were acquainted with 

 the method of warming their rooms with 

 flues. 



Pliny says, " To make a delicate salad of 

 cucumbers, boil them first, then peel them 

 from the rind, and serve them up with oil, 

 vinegar, and honey/' 



Mr. Alton mentions the cucumber as be- 

 ing first cultivated here in the year 1575, in 

 the reign of Queen Elizabeth. This appears 

 to be an error, as cucumbers were very com- 

 mon in this country in the reign of Edward 

 the Third; but being unattended to during 

 the wars of York and Lancaster, they soon 

 after became entirely unknown, until the 

 reign of Henry the Eighth, when they were 

 again introduced to this kingdom. (Gough's 

 British Topography, vol. I. p. 134.,) 



Gerard gives the earliest directions for 

 making hot beds for cucumbers in this 



