OF EARLY CUCUMBERS. 



29 



In about the third week of the month of 

 January, the plants will require stronger food; 

 and half bog and half leaf mould may be 

 applied. Should there be a difficulty in obtain- 

 ing bog earth, procure the top spit of light 

 meadow earth, and lay it up for twelve, or, at 

 the least, six months before it is wanted for use. 

 When you mould towards the outside, it may 

 be still stronger, mixing rotten dung or leaf 

 mould, in the proportion of one-fourth, with bog 

 or light meadow earth ; observing, however, not 

 to mould up the plants level until some time 

 after fruit has been cut, The beginning of 

 March is the proper time to mould up full. 



Let a cavity be left at the back and front of 

 the box of about two inches, to prevent the roots 

 from being injured on the outside of the box by 

 the linings ; and to cause the heat to rise freely 

 from the bed. 



It is very necessary that the plants should be 

 kept thin of vine, as being material in the growth 

 of fine fruit ; and as they extend towards the 



