Transactions of the Horticultural Society. 417 



become dry. The bed inside the frame will require forking up 

 about nine inches deep, three times a week : the hillocks at the 

 same time should be examined, and a round pointed stick of about 

 an inch in diameter, and eighteen inches long, must be thrust about 

 twelve inches into the dung, under the straw mat, making five or 

 six perforations under each hillock. Into each of the holes so 

 formed, pour from the spout of a water-pot as much water as the 

 state of the bed seems to require ; this may be ascertained from 

 the facility with which the perforator goes into the bed. If the 

 bed is husky, or burning, the stick will go in with difficulty, and 

 then a large pot of water is required to a hillock ; on the contrary, 

 if the bed is in a free state of working, the perforator will go into 

 it very easily, and then a sprinkling from the rose of the pot will 

 be sufficient." 



A great object of Mr. Allen seems to be to sweeten, rot, 

 and moisten the dung under the frame, for the roots of the 

 plants, while the heat is principally supplied by the linings. 



" The dung," he says, " from the continued forking and water- 

 ing, will become in a fine state to receive the roots of the plants ; 

 these, after passing through the proper depth of compost placed 

 over the dung, which is about eight inches, will readily strike into 

 the dung, and bear a productive crop of cucumbers throughout 

 the summer, without their leaves flagging or requiring any shade. 

 For ascertaining the proper period to make additions to the earth, 

 the best criterion is the appearance of the roots through the sides 

 of the hillock. This should be earthed over about three inches, 

 each time forking out the dung two inches below the mat, to give 

 a greater depth of earth each time of performing the operation. 

 The last time this is done the depth of mould at the back of the 

 frame should be twenty inches. It will be necessary to raise the 

 frame and lights as the plants advance in growth." 



Water should be given plentifully three times a week, with- 

 out wetting the leaves or fruit, " pouring it against the back 

 of the frame, for the mould will dry faster against the back 

 than the front, in consequence of the heat being there greater, 

 and the air being admitted there." 



" In pruning, the runners should not be cut or thinned out, the 

 tops only should be pinched, and at every joint, beginning when 

 the plant has two rough leaves, and the second rough leaf is about 

 an inch in diameter. That will cause the plant to produce a fruit 

 and fresh runner in succession at every joint ; it will likewise add to 

 the strength of the plants.'* 



Pinch off the tendrils and male blossoms, and fecundate 

 artificially in the early part of the season. 



The sort of cucumber which Mr. A. finds the most pro- 

 ductive is the Southgate, and he prefers seed three or four 

 years old to new seed. 



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