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 — John Shaqi
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
It is necessary to have a small pot on purpose to water the plants,
which will contain about three quarts, and has a hollow fine rose, which
is much better calculated to water the plants regularly than a spreading
one.
Be particular in watering them regular, which will be requisite every
two or three days, for the space of three weeks or a month at latest,
when they will be in a proper condition to ridge out.
After the plants have been potted three days, add a little mould to
them, and repeat it every two or three days, for about a fortnight,
until the pot is quite filled. Much attention should be paid to this
method of putting in the mould, which experience has convinced the
author is far superior to the usual practice of filling the pots in the
first instance up to the seed-leaves of the plants. By the gradual mode
of filling, the plant is prevented from shanking, and is certain in its
growth of being dwarfish and strong, which cannot be insured by the
common method, as it tends considerably to weaken the plant, and renders
it very liable to fog off, before taking root. By potting them low, and
only just covering the roots at first, the stems of the plants become
hardened, and strike very freely upwards: as the tap roots of a cucumber
always decay when forced with a strong bottom heat.
It will be necessary, after the plants have been potted about a week,
to examine the bed, for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is any
fire heat. If such should be found to be the case, and the directions as
before given with regard to moisture have been strictly attended to, it
can only exist in the tan, which must immediately be supplied with
water, and, the day following, stirred well up together and levelled,
placing the pots upon the surface. In another week again examine the
bed, and if any fire heat still remains, attend to it as above; if not,
stir up the tan, and plunge the pots about half way down; being,
however, guided in this by the temperature of the bed, as plants sown in
October do not require so much heat as those in the three following
months.
Observe, when the plants have been potted two or three days, to stir the
mould in the pots, round the plants, and likewise the tan, with a
sharp-pointed stick, which will contribute to freshen the plants, and
prevent any thing of a mouldy nature from injuring them.
As soon as they have made the first rough leaf, top them, by taking out
the break that appears next, which may be easily done with the thumb and
finger, or a sharp-pointed stick. In little more than a fortnight, they
will be in a fit state to top down; and in three weeks from the time of
sowing, ready to ridge out.
At this time of the year, the bed will not require any lining; but
observe, that as the wrapping sinks, it will be necessary to increase
it, pressing it down close to the box, and keeping it within one-third
of the top.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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