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LXX. On a Method of raising Early Cucumbers. In a Letter 

 to the Secretary, By Richard Vachell, Esq. F. H. S. 



Read May 8th. 1821. 



Sir, 



My gardener, John Furrell, having succeeded so well 

 this season in raising Early Cucumbers by an easy method 

 which I have not before seen practised, I herewith send you 

 an account of his plan. 



Instead of a bed of dung, put together in the usual 

 manner, he formed a bed of faggots four feet high, laid as 

 even at the top as the wood would admit of, and round the 

 faggots he drove stakes, to prevent them from slipping; on 

 the bed thus formed he placed some straw and long litter, 

 then fixed the frame. Over the straw some old tan, which 

 had been used in the Pine pit, was spread, in order to pre- 

 vent any steam rising through the bed, and on the tan he 

 placed the mould in which he set his plants. The bed was 

 surrounded by linings of hot dung nearly to the height of 

 the lights, and these were removed as often as the declining 

 heat required. 



Under this method Cucumbers were cut on the 22d of 

 February, and I have been constantly well supplied with 

 them ever since. I consider this plan much superior to the 

 hollow brick work recommended by Macphaii. 



I am, Sir, your very obedient Servant, 



Richard Vachell. 



Copt/old Hall, near Ingatestane, 

 April 29tk, 1821. 

 VOL. IV. 3 N 



