ON COMMON DUNG BEDS. 37 



February, March, and April, more may be 

 given ; always, however, in the morning, and 

 only when there is a prospect of the plants 

 becoming dry by covering-up time. It is a 

 bad practice to water late in the afternoon, 

 even in April, May, and J une, as the confined 

 air, during the night, causes the damp to settle 

 on the blossom of the fruit, when it destroys 

 the pollen ; and fruit so injured will seldom swell 

 freely. If the soil within the frame be mode- 

 rately moist, it will be sufficient for the night 

 without late waterings. Where a doubt is 

 entertained on this point, give a little to the 

 sides of the frame, and not to the plants. In 

 dull w r eather never water the plants, but the 

 mould only. 



Keeping the cucumber plants regularly 

 stopped is of the utmost importance; and it 

 should always be done, as previously noticed 

 (see p. S), with the finger and thumb. The 

 shoots should never be suffered to get into a 

 crowded state, otherwise they will become weak 



