THE FORCING GARDEN. 



709 



should be closely, neatly, and regularly pegged down to it. 

 They should also be moderately thinned, if they be too thick 

 and crowded, with the view to prevent confusion, as well as 

 to avoid weakening the plants with a superfluity of useless 

 shoots and leaves. This thinning or pruning should, however, 

 be cautiously done, a little only at a time being removed, and 

 as they are apt to bleed, they would be much weakened if too 

 much be cut at once. All bruised, damped, or decayed leaves, 

 should be carefully removed as they appear, and no weeds 

 suffered to grow in the beds ; if this be not attended to, damp 

 will naturally be engendered, and will at all times be very in- 

 jurious to the plants. 



It not unfrequently happens, that the leaves of the plants 

 will flag or droop, particularly if hot sunny weather succeed 

 dull cloudy days ; and when such occur, let recourse be had 

 to a slight shading, either by throwing a thin mat, or sprink- 

 ling a little dry hay, straw, or litter over the glass, but this 

 shading should be removed as soon as the sun becomes less 

 powerful. 



Towards the middle or end of the month, if the weather be 

 mild, ridges should be put up, upon which to plant out both 

 cucumbers and melons, to be perfected by the protection of 

 large bell or hand-glasses ; however, unless in favorable situa- 

 tions, melons will not succeed so well without the protection 

 of frames and lights, in addition to dung-beds. Cucumbers 

 will be found to succeed in most situations in this manner, if 

 protected till the end of the month ; after which time, they will 

 succeed well without any covering, except, for greater security, 

 a few mats may be thrown over them every evening till towards 

 the end of May, when they may be dispensed with. In form- 

 ing these ridges, they should not be sunk under the surflice, 

 as is most frequently done ; for, by being sunk, it will be im- 

 possible to refresh the heat, should it be required, by the appli- 

 cation of linings. If it be intended to have many grown in this 

 manner, it is advisable to put up the ridges or beds parallel to 

 each other, from three to four feet apart, and the ridges may 

 be of the width of three feet each. When the heat begins to 

 decline in the ridges, the space between them may be filled 



