90 FAKM-GAKDENIXG AND SEED-GIIOWING. 



the bugs must be looked after. I have known them to 

 eat off the plant before it was fairly out of the ground, 

 and if attention is given to them at this time, the crop 

 may be saved, or if passed by for a day or two the whole 

 may be destroyed. Tobacco-dust, bone-flour, ashes, etc., 

 are recommended to destroy or drive away these pests, 

 but I have always found air-slaked shell-lime to be the 

 most effectual. It is quite essential to procure a bar- 

 rel or two of burnt oyster-shells in early spring, and put 

 them into a box or cask large enough to allow of nearly 

 double increase of bulk by slaking. The lime should be 

 kept in a dry place, exposed to the air, by the action of 

 which it will in time slake, and crumble fine. This should 

 be sifted as wanted, and the dust sprinkled over and un- 

 der the young plants, even before a bug may be seen, as 

 with these " an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of 

 cure." As the plants grow they should be limed every 

 few days, until they begin to run, applying the dust very 

 early in the morning while the dew is on, thus causing it 

 to adhere, throwing it well under as well as sprinkling it 

 over the plants. When the plants are nicely up work 

 with the cultivator and hoe, and repeat it as often as pos- 

 sible, for working among the plants disturbs the bugs, as 

 well as loosens the soil and destroys the weeds. When 

 the plants begin to run or form a vine they must be thin- 

 ned out to twelve inches if in rows, or three plants may be 

 left in a hill. If just after this they receive a thorough 

 cultivating and hoeing, they will scarcely require anymore 

 attention, as the vines will soon cover the ground. Cu- 

 cumbers may be advanced by starting them under glass 

 in a cold-frame about the first of May. Cut sods about 

 three inches thick, and in pieces four inches square ; lay 

 them, up-side down on the level surface of the cold-bed ; 

 after taking out an inch or more of the soil from the cen- 

 ter of each sod, drop in a few seeds and cover with fine 

 earth ; water, and place on the sashes. In a few days they 



