as practised at Hylands. 



387 



135 



sunshine. The frame, or box, is of equal depth at the back, 

 front, and sides, viz. about 18 in. : along the back is a rebate 

 cut out of the solid plank (Jig- 133. a); and in front, in the 

 centre of each light, is a stop of iron (b) to . 

 retain the sash in its place, when air is pi 

 given behind by inserting the wedge in 8 

 common use between the top rail and 

 the ledge (a), or when the sash is raised 

 high, to admit of watering or otherwise 

 working among the plants, by means of a 

 notched prop. (Jig- 134.) The use of the ledge rising behind 

 j„ 4 the rebate is, when air is given, to prevent the wind from 

 forcing the external air into the frame. The frame and 

 sashes are made to slope to the sun, by sloping the dung- 

 bed. When, at any time, the frame sinks too deep, it 

 is raised by means of an iron hook. (Jig. 135.) In order 

 that a roll of reeds may be spread out lengthwise on 

 the lights, two cross strips of wood are nailed on 

 the outside of each light, at a short distance from 

 the top and bottom. (Jig. 132. a and b) The dung- 

 beds on which these frames are placed, are formed 

 in pits about 2 ft. wider than the frames. These 

 frames are fenced with boards, for the purpose of keeping the 

 136 ^a^sg dung-bed in its proper 



place. (Jig. 136.) In 

 severe weather in winter, 

 the frames are protected 

 from frost by linings of 

 leaves, spent dung, or 

 other littery matter. 

 (Jig. 136. a) Melons, 

 cucumbers, lettuces, 

 kidney beans, radishes, 

 purslane, carrots, and cauliflowers are grown in these frames 

 in the following manner : — 



Cucumbers and Melons are prepared for, according to the 

 usual routine, in January and February ; and the first and 

 second crops are removed from the earliest frames by the 

 beginning of September. The only feature in the manage- 

 ment of these crops is, that the plants are scarcely, if at all, 

 pruned, and that the melons are grown wholly in vegetable 

 mould. The crops are abundant. Cucumbers are or may 

 be cut every month in the year, and the first melons usually 

 in the beginning of May. Mr. Nieman has several of M'PhaiFs 

 pits, in one of which he has at this time cucumber plants 



c c 2 



