THE CUCUMBER. 



355 



small aperture to give egress to excessive internal 

 moisture or steam must be given at the liighest part 

 of the frame at the back. 



The seeds should be sown three or four each 

 ia two or more 60-sized pots, wherein ample 

 drainage must De nrst placed, then a layer of moss, 

 and filled with a finely-sifted loamy soil and leaf- 

 mould in equal quantities. Press the soil somewhat 

 firmly, and do not water it until it becomes mode- 

 rately dry after the seeds have been sown a day or 

 two. If too much moisture be permitted them at 

 first, they are liable to decay ere germination is com- 

 pleted. So soon as the young plants have pushed 

 through the ground, and show the third, or first 

 rough leaf, pot them off into other similar pots and 

 soil, placing two at two opposite sides in each pot. 

 By pennitting the young plants to touch the sides of 

 the pots, they are less likely to decay than when 

 placed centrally in mid-soil, for they are tender at 

 this season of the year, and very liable to injury 

 from steam, &c. 



Meanwhile, and while these operations are pro- 

 ceeding to raise young plants and grow them into 

 planting-out size, a larger heap of stable dung only, or 

 a half-and-half of stable dung and tree-leaves, should 

 be preparing, and being worked into what is called 

 by gardeners a sweet state ; that is, all the rank steam 

 and burning heat should be got out of it. As this is 

 of vital importance we will, at the risk of some 

 repetition, repeat the processes taken to insure a 

 sweet and dui'able warmth in what is called the 

 bed. 



As, in process of fermentation, rank steam is 

 given off, the manure must be first purified and 

 subdued by the simple means of throwing the 

 whole of the materials up together into a conical 

 heap. So soon as they become warm throughout 

 and give off steam freely, they must be again turned 

 over. Commence at one side of the heap, removing 

 the outer sides ; make a base for the heap of the 

 outsides, and so turn all over into the new heap, 

 keeping the existing centre on the outer side, and 

 the sides in the middle. Shake every forkful well, 

 so as to separate the materials, building it up in 

 conical or lidge form. This should be done three 

 or more times at the least ; after which measure 

 out a space upon a warm sheltered aspect facing 

 the south, similar in shape to the frame which 

 is to be used, but from four inches to a foot 

 wider and longer than the actual size of the 

 frame. Build thereon a square bed, which should be 

 thi'ee or four feet high at the back, and one foot less 

 in height at the front, "^^'hen it is built, having 

 been trodden down in process so as to make the 

 materials moderately firm, put the frame upon it 

 facing south, covering it over with the sashes. Then 



place a lining of the same materials up against the 

 bed, about fourteen to sixteen inches wide all around, 

 fashioning it nearly similarly to the bed. Permit all 

 to remain thus with the sashes shut down close until 

 the inside of the frame is full of steam; then open it, 

 lightly fork up the inside of the bed, and replace the 

 sashes, giving a little air at the back only. Xow 

 place more material upon the outer lining, bringing 

 it up to within half a foot of the top of the frame all 

 around. Later on in the season the lining may be 

 dispensed with — at least, until the heat within the 

 bed subsides, when it may be added to give an addi- 

 tional fillip to the declining warmth within the frame. 



Every precaution must be taken to build the bed 

 upon the most sunny site possible, especially at so 

 early a period of the year when so little sunshine 

 exists. It must also occupy a space that is not 

 liable to the inroad of superficial storm- water. In 

 low-lying gardens, and where any doubt exists in 

 this respect, it is desirable to first lay upon the 

 ground-surface a base for the bed, consisting of old 

 wooden blocks or faggots, arranged in neat shape 

 and the exact size of the bed. A thick layer of 

 straw, even where the latter is not needful, will 

 besides always prove an advantage, even upon sites 

 that are somewhat elevated and habitually dry. 



"Well elevate the frame at the back, in such 

 manner as to insure that all probable sunshine shall 

 pervade as far as possible every part within. 



When the heat within the frame falls to a mean 

 of about 90'', place another layer of material all 

 around the insides of the frame, tread it down 

 somewhat firmly in such a manner as to fix it tightly 

 against the sides of the frame, and underneath its 

 lower edges, if possible, in view of keeping out any 

 steam, which might otherwise rush in that way from 

 the outer linings. 



The next process is to put a mound of suitable soO. 

 under the centre of each sash. 



Should there be any doubt as to the regularity of 

 the heat within the bed, and any possibility that it 

 may exceed the mean given as a safeguard, a good 

 square turf from pasture-land might be placed over 

 the surface of the bed first, upon wliich the mound of 

 suitable soil might be put. 



Planting Out. — The best soil for Cucumbers is 

 one consisting of decayed pasture turfs two parts, 

 well broken up ; one part fine, slightly stiff, yellow 

 loam, and one part thoroughly rotted leaf-mould 

 and stable maniu'e, all well intermixed. Place this 

 mound of compost lightly in conical form \ip to 

 within six inches of the glass, and await a day or 

 two for all to become warmed through. At which 

 time, should the internal heat not exceed 85°, the 

 plants may be planted. 



