THE HAND-GLASS CUCUMBERS. 55 



After the seed has been up about a week, it 

 will be necessary to thin them out, in the pro- 

 portion of six plants to each glass ; and in 

 the week following reduce them to three, which 

 is the proper number to be grown together 

 finally for a crop. When they are thus divided, 

 put some light mould round the stems of the 

 plants, which should be done at two different 

 times, allowing a week to elapse between each 

 application, and filling up the hollow that is left. 



As soon as they have made two rough leaves, 

 top them at the second joint. This is a plan 

 which may be adopted with success. Hot dung 

 is also of great advantage, as it will cause them 

 to come into bearing nearly a month sooner than 

 would otherwise be the case. 



After the plants have been topped, as above 

 directed,, let them run to six joints, and then top 

 the magain, when they will show fruit, which 

 may be topped at the first joint. If the hand- 

 glasses are large, fruit will be ready to cut very 

 early. 



