362 Forcing Cucumbers by Fire Heat. — Kinmel Park. 



It is needless to show how far this system of forcing aspa- 

 ragus may be extended, or to point out to practical men the 

 advantages attending it. Parallel beds may be forced in the 

 same way, so that the intermediate linings be not too much 

 trodden on, as this always checks their working kindly. Beds 

 so treated will continue productive for many years. 



I am, Sir, &c. 



David Spiers. 

 Mr. Knighfs Nursery, King's Road. 



Art. XXIII. Abridged Communicatio?is. 



Method of forcing. Cucumbers by Fire Heat, practised at 

 Reading, in Berkshire, in the Garden of JVilliam Stephens, Esq. 

 By John Forrest, late Gardener there. — This plan of forcing 

 early hot-bed crops, may be particularly convenient where 

 stable-yard dung cannot be conveniently had, or even where 

 it is scarce. It is as simple as it is economical, requiring only 

 an excavation 2^ feet deep, and of the length and breadth of 

 the frame, to be first dug out ; in this a flue of brick or any 

 other material is carried along, nearly on one side of the pit, 

 from a furnace at one end, and returns on the other to a chim- 

 ney carried up over the fire-place. Posts are driven at the 

 cornel's, and intermediate ones at back and front. On these 

 posts are laid a stage of wattled (i. e. wickerwork) hurdles, 

 closely enough woven to prevent the mould of the bed from 

 falling through. On this platform a frame of sufficient depth 

 is placed, and within this a bed of suitable compost, 1 8 in. 

 thick, is put for the plants. By this trifling structure and 

 simple means, a perfect command of heat is obtained, at very 

 little expense ; and, where proper skill is applied, and the ne- 

 cessary degree of moisture is maintained, in connection with 

 ,the fire heat, there is no doubt of a successful result. ^. When 

 the required heat (70°) is found in the frame, a damper fitted 

 at the bottom of the upright chimney is shut, thereby confin- 

 ino- the heat in the flue and heat chamber, which is further 

 reo-ulated by ordinary coverings. This simple plan, and con- 

 sequently successful hot-bed management, do great credit 

 to the inventor, and we sincerely wish that he had a situation 

 where his abilities might be exercised to his own and his em- 

 ployer's advantage. 



Kinmel Park, Denbighshire. — This is the beautiftil seat of 

 W. L. Plughes, Esq. M.P., situated about four miles west 

 from St. Asaph. The mansion is surrounded by a park, well 



