336 THE FORCING GARDEN. [jAN. 



Of forcing Cucumbers and Melons. 



About the middle of the month, a seed-bed may 

 be prepared for raising early cucumbers and melons. 

 Some begin sooner, but it is striving hard against 

 the stream to little purpose. If the dung be pre- 

 pared, and the bed be got ready, so as to sow about 

 the first of February, the success will often be great- 

 er than by sowing a month earlier ; the growth of 

 the plants being frequently checked by bad wea- 

 ther, and sometimes they are entirely lost. 



The dung should be carefully fermented, as above 

 directed, and the bed built to the height of five feet 

 at back, and four in front ; keeping it a foot larger 

 than the frame all round. The frame here meant 

 is for one light, about five or six feet by three, or 

 three and a half; which is sufficient for the purpose 

 of raising seedling cucumbers and melons to an or- 

 dinary extent. 



Let the bed be finished and turfed over as above 

 directed for the asparagus bed, and put on the frame. 

 Then lay in it fine dry sand, as free of earth as 

 possible, to the depth of about six inches, laying 

 it in a sloping manner, corresponding with the 

 glass, and to within six inches of it; over which 

 lay an inch or two of dry, light earth. 



The seeds may immediately be sown. Some wait 

 till the heat rise ; but it is losing time ; besides, by 

 sowing now, vegetation is brought on by degrees, as 

 the heat rises. They should be sown in fine light 

 earth, or, if it can be obtained, in vegetable mould 

 of decayed tree-leaves ; covering to the depth of 



