lts from it; and
by far the greatest number of horticulturists take no notice of it
whatever. Laying is certainly a most material point in the culture of
the early cucumber; and it is impossible to ensure a good crop without a
strict attention to it: in fact, the Author principally attributes his
success in the production of fine fruit, to his extreme care in this
particular. It should be done every fortnight or three weeks after the
plants have come into bearing; and, if continued in a regular manner,
good fruit may be obtained until October. Some imagine that October sown
plants will soon be worn out, after producing a few cucumbers early; but
this is a mistaken idea, for, if the laying is continued regularly, they
will bear good fruit equally as long as any young plants sown in the
spring. Leaf-mould, mixed with a little road sand, is the best thing to
lay them in until the latter end of March, when you may add a stronger
soil, composed of one-fourth of leaf-mould or rotten dung, mixed with
bog or light meadow earth.

Soft water is essentially necessary for the plants, as hard is almost
certain of producing the canker, unless particular means are adopted to
prevent it. In some situations it may be impossible to obtain soft
water; in such a case, let the water stand in a tub for at least
twenty-four hours; if two or three days even it will be the better, as
in that time it will be in some degree softened by the sun, and the raw
coldness expelled from it.

After the plants have come into bearing, sheeps dung is an excellent
thing to mix with the water, if used in a moderate manner. The following
proportion will be necessary:--To six pots of water put in the tub one
shovel-full of dung; let this be stirred up continually for the space of
two or three days, and when wanted for use, it must be again well
stirred up. In watering with this mixture, be particular in having a
small thin spouted pot, without a rose, so that it may be easily poured
under the leaves. A gallon or six quarts will be a sufficient quantity
for one light, and in watering be careful that it is not sprinkled over
the leaves. Sheeps dung, mixed with the water, will be found very
beneficial to the plants, if used moderately, as too great a freedom
will tend to injure them.

When the plants are first ridged out, they will require water every
third day, until about the middle of December; and when applied, it must
be sprinkled all over the plants and be