Improved Frame for forcing Cucumbers. 



459 



Art. XII. Description of an improved Frame for forcing Cucum- 

 bers or Melons. By T. A. Parker, Esq., A.M. 



Where stable muck is easily to be had, it may be applied 

 to this purpose at no expense beyond a little labour ; and, if it 

 be desired to pursue the plan upon an extended scale, hot 

 water in metal pipes may be provided in aid of stable muck. 

 Both together would make the arrangement particularly com- 

 plete and economical. 



It is my intention at present to limit the hot-bed to the 

 smallest scale, and confine the plan to the application of stable 

 muck ; but I propose at no distant time, in another communi- 

 cation, to extend the arrangement, with the addition of pipes 

 containing hot water. 



I have used a hot-bed of this kind for a few years with 

 great success. I need not detail the quantity of fruit 

 raised in this manner, because the practical gardener will 

 immediately perceive the advantages of the plan; and, in 

 truth, an accurate account of the produce has not been kept. 

 82 A. This hot-bed is about 6 ft. 



square in the clear, the stone 

 sides or kerbs being about 

 one foot high, presenting a 

 _i glazed gable end to the south 

 {fg. 82.), a boarded gable 

 end to the north, and on the 

 east and west two sashes on 

 each side, about 4 ft. long by 

 3 ft. wide : the tops of the 

 sashes being furnished with 

 thimbles are hinged to a 

 rod of round iron of about five eighths of an inch in diameter, 

 running above the ridge board. 



A platform of slate flags, ^ 

 supported by stone pillars of 

 about 2J ft. high, receives the 

 stone kerbs, &c., {fg. 83.) 

 and admits of the muck being 

 removed wholly or in part, 

 it being at first heaped up 

 under and round the platform 

 and stone kerbs. I have the 

 advantage of being able to 

 get slate flags so large as from 

 three to four yards square, if 

 desired, at the cost of \s. 3d. 

 per square yard, if squared ; 



