SECT. XIV. OF RAISING CUCUMBERS. 181 



warm, and given in the morning towards the middle of 

 the day. Shut them clofe for half an hour. 



If the feed bed is not likely to hold the plants fo long 

 as directed, (or nearly) in a free growing ftate, an inter- 

 mediate bed Ihould be made in time to receive them; 

 for it is BOt proper to plant them out into the fruit bed 

 t:o foon, left there be a failure in keeping up its heat 

 to fet the fruit, and bring it on. This intermediate 

 bed ihouid be made of proportionate ftrength, for the 

 time it is wanted, and may do at two and a halt, or three 

 feet thick; nor need there be any great objection to an- 

 intermediate bed, as it tends to infure fuccefs, and brings 

 the plants on feller, and faves trouble in keeping up the 

 heat of the feed bed. 



Burning is a thing to be fufpefted when a bed is very 

 hot, and in proportion as the mould is damp; and mould 

 therefore be feen to, bv drawing away feme mould from 

 the bottom near the middle ; and it it appears difco- 

 loured, of a greyifh hue, and caked, let what is fo be 

 taken out from all parts of the bed as foon as poflible ; 

 but take care tfyat in doing it, too much cold air do not 

 get in and damp the bed, or injure the plants. Do this 

 work at the beft time of the day, while the fun fhines, if 

 it may be, and rather at twice, allowing an hour be- 

 tween. Fill up with frefli and dry mould, and keep 

 the glaffes clofe, till the earth is got thorough warm 

 again. Burning, however, is not of fo much confe- 

 quence now, as when the plants are put out to fruit, 

 tor the pots may be drawn up from the evil ; but burnt 

 mould contaminates the air, as well as injures trie roots 

 that it reaches to. See Burning again prefently. 



Steaming muft be guarded againii, and the rank efflu- 

 via which rifes in the bed at fh it, .and whilit the dung is 

 quite hot, muft have vent night and day, by railing the 

 lights. A little rife will do on nights ; and if a mat 

 hangs before the aperture, or is- nailed down loofely over 

 it, the too fuddea entrance of cold air will be prevented* 

 But when the ftrong heat of the bed is certain! v over, 



ftut 



