1995. A frame for early cucumbers, which has been found to answer better than most others, consists of any common frame supported on wooden posts about 3 ft. high, placed in two rows at the back and front. These posts are braced together, and a flooring of boards is placed over them for retaining the mould; while the dung, or other fermenting substance, is placed under and around the whole. The details, at length, will be found in the Gardener's Magazine, vol. iii. p. 21. Early cucumbers were grown by Mr. Mearns, in a pit (fig. 560.), the walls of which (a) are of open wickerwork. There is a cavity under the bed (c), into which the steam from the dung-lining is admitted. Posts of iron or stone (b) support this bed (d), which is made of slate, stones, or tiles; while the cavity between it and the sides of the pit is closed below with slabs of stone (e). The pit is heated by dung-linings (f), enclosed by walls (g), and kept dry by drains (h), and by a gutter to the sashes (i) The plants are inserted in a hill (k), and gradually earthed up in the usual manner. This pit is much cheaper than M'Phail's, especially if the retaining walls (g) are omitted.
