252 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



and, if possible, good oak-leaves, well mixed together, 

 in the first week of December. These materials should 

 be shaken up lightly into a compact heap. And in 

 order to sweat or sweeten it, it will require to be turned 

 over at intervals of four or five days, until it has 

 parted with its rank ammoniacal vapours, and assumed 

 a tanned colour. It is then ready to be formed into a 

 hotbed, for which a well-sheltered site open to the 

 soiith should be chosen. The bed should be 5 feet 

 high at the back, 4 feet at front, and 2 feet longer and 

 wider than the frame that is to be placed on it. Suppos- 

 ing that cucumber-plants, and perhaps a few early odds 

 and ends, are all that are to be raised in the bed, one 

 light box of the ordinary size will be sufficient. In 

 building the bed, shake up the material well, lay it on 

 in regular layers, and beat it well down, with the back 

 of the fork as the work proceeds, but do not tramp it. 

 When of the requisite height, place the frame over it at 

 once, and lay 6 inches of finely-pounded charcoal, sifted 

 coal-ashes, or sawdust — I prefer the first named — over 

 the surface of the bed inside the frame. Put on the light, 

 and protect the sides of the bed and frame itself from cold 

 searching winds and rains, which would soon cool it, 

 and keep the frame closed and covered up till the heat 

 begins to rise. Then give air by day, to let any rank 

 vapour that may arise from the manure escape. 



SOWING THE SEEDS, AND TREATMENT OF THE 

 YOUNG PLANTS. 



As soon as the heat reaches 70°, and the atmosphere 

 is sweet, soak the cucumber-seeds in water for twelve 

 hours before sowing them. I prefer sowing the seeds 



