OF EARLY CUCUMBERS. 



31 



observing this method, practice it so slightly, 

 that little if any benefit results from it ; and by 

 far the greatest number of horticulturists take 

 no notice of it whatever. Laying is certainly a 

 most material point in the culture of the early 

 cucumber ; and it is impossible to ensure a good 

 crop without a strict attention to it : in fact, 

 the Author principally attributes his success in 

 the production of fine fruit, to his extreme care 

 in this particular. It should be done every 

 fortnight or three weeks after the plants have 

 come into bearing ; and, if continued in a regu- 

 lar manner, good fruit may be obtained until 

 October. Some imagine that October sown 

 plants will soon be worn out, after producing a 

 few cucumbers early ; but this is a mistaken 

 idea, for, if the laying is continued regularly, 

 they will bear good fruit equally as long as any 

 young plants sown in the spring. Leaf-mould, 

 mixed with a little road sand, is the best thing 

 to lay them in until the latter end of March, 

 when you may add a stronger soil, composed of 

 one-fourth of leaf-mould or rotten dung, mixed 

 with bog or light meadow earth. 



