366 THE FORCING GARDEN. [jVIAR. 



the earth round their sides, and settling all with a 

 little aired water. 



In the case of planting older plants than the above, 

 at a farther advanced period of the season, or such 

 as have quite filled their pots with roots, the balls 

 may be reduced a little, and the fibres should be 

 singled out, if anywise matted. But the above 

 plants are supposed to have barely filled the pots 

 with roots, and then the balls should be kept en- 

 tire, that they may not receive a check in the trans- 

 planting. 



Let the plants now be carefully attended to with 

 moderate supplies of water once in two or three 

 days, and have air regularly admitted to them, in 

 as large portions as the state of the weather will al- 

 low; being careful to let off rank steam, if it abound, 

 by leaving a little tilt, even in the night, as direct- 

 ed for the seed-bed last month. In order to deter- 

 mine to what extent the frames should be covered 

 or matted, let a thermometer be kept in each bed ; 

 by which also the airing may be regulated. The 

 medium heat for cucumbers is 60, and for me- 

 lons, 70 ; allowing a few degrees of variation at 

 this season, on account of changeable weather. In 

 sunshine, admit air to uch an extent as to keep 

 down the mercury to within five degrees of the 

 above-mentioned mediums, which will greatly 

 strengthen the plants, and promote their growth. 



In a few days the plants will begin to put out run- 

 ners or vines, whether the heart-buds be picked out 

 or not, which is a matter of trivial concern, although 



