The art of promoting the growth of the cucumber and melon: in a series of directions for the best means to be adopted; in bringing them to a complete state of perfectionWatkins, Thomas
Science
The art of promoting the growth of the cucumber and melon: in a series of directions for the best means to be adopted; in bringing them to a complete state of perfection
Watkins, Thomas
Cucumbers; Melons
At this time of the year young plants are much slower in their growth,
and more difficult to be reared than in October, consequently they
require a stronger bottom bed, though made in the same manner as above
directed. The dung must undergo the same process in working, but should
be six inches higher; it will also require more wrapping and covering,
particularly if the weather is very cold; in this, however, as before,
you must be guided by the temperature of the season; taking care not to
cover too much at first. For the first fortnight a double mat will be
sufficient; and after that, if the weather is intense, increase the
covering, by adding hay to the thickness of six or nine inches, with a
mat over it. Air should be admitted night and day, according to the
state of the weather; but they may be closed down for about an hour,
before covering up, after they are a fortnight old.
The plants should be ridged out young, at least when they are a month
old; but be very particular in having the fruiting-frame perfectly sweet
before they are placed in it, as it is much better to keep them in the
pots a week, or even a fortnight, beyond the time, than to ridge them
out before the bed is in a proper condition.
Be careful in keeping a good heat; in having the lining applied in
proper time; and in well wrapping them up. The lining will be required
when they are three weeks old at the back and front. It should be two
feet wide about half way up the bed, and lined with litter to the width
of six inches, for the purpose of keeping the lining in a proper
condition: wrap it up also within three inches of the top, drawing it in
gradually to about eighteen inches wide. With the exception of the
foregoing directions, the method of treatment must be exactly the same
as given in the Seed-bed for October.
ON THE MANAGEMENT REQUIRED IN THE CULTURE OF THE
Late Cucumber.
The proper time to sow for late cucumbers, that is, such as are grown in
boxes and lights, and have no necessity for linings, is from the middle
of March to the middle of April; and after that time seed may be put in
for the hand-glass.
Those that are sown in the middle of March will require stronger beds
than those sown a fortnight or three weeks afterwards, and should be
made from two feet six inches to three feet high; while the latter will
not require beds higher than two feet.
Let a trench be dug the size of the frame, about eighteen inches deep,
and if the soil is light and rich that is thrown out, the bed may be
formed of it; but if a strong loam it will not answer the purpose.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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