G2 ON THE GROWTH OF THE CUCUMBER 



adapted thereto — the mean temperature of the 

 country in which it grows naturally being about 

 72°. Failures in its forcing occur, in most in- 

 stances, from the want of a well-regulated top and 

 bottom heat. When the branches are in a heat of 

 70° or 80° (Fahrenheit) their roots require quite 

 as much ; and if they have 90°, the fruit upon 

 them will swell much faster than in a lower tem- 

 perature. Without heat at the roots, early 

 cucumbers are not obtainable ; and if the heat 

 be too low they will remain stationary; but if 

 the heat be short at bottom, and too much at 

 the top, they soon become diseased and unpro- 

 ductive. Keep up therefore a good bottom heat, 

 at all times, and let it be sweet and moist, 

 ranging from 85° to 95°, with the top heat as 

 before stated. 



Air. — This subject has been already treated 

 of in the chapters on common frame culture, 

 and the same observations will apply here. 

 Fruit-bearing plants in pits as well as frames, 

 should have air at night, during the coldest 



