mprovement in this particular branch of horticulture.

THOMAS WATKINS.

Highbury Park, January 30, 1824.

THE ART OF PROMOTING THE GROWTH OF THE

Cucumber and Melon.

* * * * *

ON THE MANAGEMENT REQUIRED IN THE CULTURE OF EARLY CUCUMBERS.

* * * * *

THE SEED-BED FOR OCTOBER:

_To be sown from the 10th to the 20th of the Month._

One load of horse-dung, or twenty barrows-full, will be sufficient for a
one-light box, and let it be put together at least three weeks before
making the bed, in a round or square heap, being particular in well
treading it down. If the dung is dry, it will be necessary to give it
some water; if very dry, a dozen pots will be required. Let it lay in
this state a week, and then turn it, shaking the outsides of the heap
into the middle, and give it some more water. In doing this, it is
requisite that the heap should be well shook to pieces, and trod down.
Let it lay another week, at the expiration of which, observe the same
directions as before given, applying the quantity of water in proportion
to the dry nature of the dung. At the end of the third week, it will be
in a proper condition to make use of, as by that time it will be
sufficiently moist and hot, the necessary state in which it should be,
before the formation of the bed.

As much depends upon the nature of the dung, and its proper condition,
great attention should be paid, and some judgment exercised in the means
best calculated to prepare it for a state of fermentation. The most
certain method that can be adopted, and likely to ensure a beneficial
result is, in the summer months, to pack the dung you intend to make use
of for the October seed-bed as close together as possible, taking care
to keep it dry, that it may retain its virtue. This sort of dung is far
preferable to that newly made, being less rank and not so liable to
burn; and when under a state of preparation, by turning and moistening,
as before described, it will be in a much better condition than any that
can be fresh procured.[1]

Before forming the bed, let the bottom be made in the following
manner:--Raise the ground about six inches above the level with road
sand or mould, upon the top of which place some fagots, or other kind of
wood, to the height of a foot, in order that the bed may be well
drained. If there is an insufficiency of dung, you can add a foot of dry
rubbish, such as st