On the forcing of early Cucumbers, 449 



Art. VIII. On the forcing of early Cucumhers in Pits heated by Fires. 

 By J. WiGHXON, Gardener to Lord StafFordj Cossey Hall. 



This method possesses a decided advantage over the old plan 

 of beds made with manure, which are very uncertain, and at- 

 tended with great trouble. Beds made with dung soon lose 

 their heat, which must be renewed by linings of manure ; and 

 these often burn the roots of the plants. If great care be not 

 also taken, the steam from the dung will make its way into the 

 beds, and destroy the plants. The heated vapour from the 

 dung, when it penetrates the beds, is injurious to the plants; 

 and, in dull weather, it keeps the beds in a wet state, so that the 

 plants will become sickly, if they do not decay with damp. 



All this is prevented by forcing with fire heat ; for the heated 

 flue prevents the necessity of using linings of manure, and keeps 

 the pits dry, and free from noxious vapours. There is, also, no 

 danger of burning the roots of the plants, as the flues are above 

 the soil. The pits are filled with oak leaves, and thus keep their 

 heat for a long time. 



One of my pits is heated by hot water. This I consider pre- 

 ferable to brick flues for pits ; because the pipes occupy less 

 room, the heat is more steady and uniform, and less fire is requi- 

 site. I keep the pits up to from G0° to 75° of Fahrenheit ; and 

 use no covering at night, unless the weather be very cold. I 

 allow one plant only to a light; sprinkle the plants every morn- 

 ing and evening with water a little warmed ; and pour some on 

 the flues, to produce a steam, which greatly promotes the growth 

 of the plants. 



As old customs are not easily relinquished, various objections 

 will probably be raised against this method. In the first place, 

 it may be objected that the expense would be greater than the 

 old method with manure ; secondly, that the dry heat will en- 

 courage the red spider ; and thirdly, that it will never answer to 

 set a large pit to work in order to raise a few plants. 



To the first objection, it may be replied, that, where a good 

 deal of forcing is going forward, a supply of early cucumbers is 

 highly desirable ; and, if they ai-e grown for sale, they will 

 amply pay for the expense of firing. To the second, I have 

 used the fire pits for eight years, and never found the red spider 

 more common than in the old-fashioned beds. They are kept 

 off" by the watering and steaming. To the third, I may observe 

 that my plants are raised in one of the forcing-houses. Since 

 this method of growing cucumbers has been adopted, I have 

 been very successful, and have not had half the anxiety which 

 was inseparable from the old plan of beds with manure. 



Cosseij Hall, Feb. 10. 1837- 



Vol. XIII.— No. 91. gg 



