412 FORCING DEPARTMENT. 



the dung that is applied to the exterior of the pits 

 is in a rank state, it will sometimes appear necessary 

 to leave the lights a little tilted behind during the 

 night, so as to allow the steam that may collect in 

 the frame to pass away. The ends of the mats must, 

 however, be lapped over the apertures thus left, 

 otherwise the frosty winds will be liable to injure the 

 plants. When the weather is very severe, the beds or 

 pits should be covered early in the afternoon with 

 two or three tiers of mats, and not uncovered before 

 nine o'clock in the morning. When the fruit blos- 

 soms begin to make their appearance, it will be 

 necessary to assist nature at an early period of the 

 year, by taking off the male flower, and inserting its 

 anthers into the fertile blossom, when it is fully 

 expanded, as the limited admission of air that is 

 given in the Winter season is not sufficient for the 

 dispersion of the pollen for impregnation, without 

 which the fruit will not swell ; but at a more 

 advanced period of the year, the current of air, and 

 the bees that generally frequent the Cucumber and 

 Melon bed, are the best and most natural sources of 

 fertilization. As the plants advance in growth, they 

 should be regularly pegged down to the surface of 

 the bed, also gradually adding mould to their hills, 

 until the entire bed is covered over to the depth of 

 a foot or 14 inches. Occasional waterings will be 

 required, but care must be taken not to give them in 

 such quantities as will sour and saturate the soil. 

 The dung linings which surround the bed will also 

 require to be frequently attended to and renewed, 

 in order to keep up the requisite degree of heat 



