710 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



[J U/tC 



themselves to cover a greater surface, and consequently pro- 

 duce a greater quantity of fruit. However, if the weather be 

 not very favorable, this operation may be deferred till the 

 beginning or middle of the following month. Those cucum- 

 ber-plants which were last month planted out on ridges, and 

 covered with bell or hand-glasses, may now be suffered to 

 extend freely fi'ora under them, protecting them at nights, as 

 already directed last month, with mats, or other coverings. 

 For this purpose, the glasses should be propped up, for the 

 more ready admission of the extension of the shoots. 



These plants will require frequent supplies of water, but 

 not so frc(iuent as those which are confined in the narrow limits 

 of a pit or frame. It is better that they be kept rather dry than 

 otherwise, particularly until the end of the month. 



The cucumber-plants sown last month in the natural ground 

 to produce picklers, should be thinned, when the rough leaf 

 begins to advance in the heart of the plants, to the distance 

 noticed last month. From this time, let them be kept clear of 

 weeds, which can be easily done by carefully hoeing them ; and 

 this practice will not only make the ground look neat, but will 

 materially promote the growth of the plants. As the plants 

 advance, let a little fresh mould be applied round their roots 

 and stems, which will greatly strengthen and support them. 

 They should be refreshed with water every day, if dry weather, 

 but this must not be given in too large a quantity at once. 



Cucumber-seeds may still be sown, if not done last month, 

 for a full crop of picklers ; for directions on this subject, see 

 lasf nionth. The plants now sown will come into bearing by 

 the middle or end of August, and will continue generally until 

 destroyed by the autumnal frosts. 



It was intimated last month, that it would be advisable, in 

 order to forward a crop of these plants, to have such a num- 

 ber, as may be wanted, raised upon a bed or beds, to be finally 

 transplanted where they are to remain, to ix?rfect their crop. 

 At this time, such plants so forwarded will be in a fit state to 

 be transplanted where they are to remain, and should be now 

 attended to. (For directions for planting out, Sec, see last 

 month.) 



