Forcing of Melons and Cucumbers. 263 



Feeding — Liquid cow or sheep manure usually gives quickest 

 results, and an application of either should be made each week as 

 the fruit is swelling. When the surface of the fruit begins to " net " 

 (roughen) stimulating foods and water should be withheld, the houses 

 allowed to dry gradually; and as the fruits continue to ripen, the 

 vines should follow closely in degree of maturity, so that when the 

 last fruit on a vine is picked the vine is ready to be thrown out. 



A succession of plants may be grown, but the setting of young 

 plants between old fruiting plants is attended by many difficulties, 

 for the young plants need entirely different treatment from that 

 required by the older vines; and it is always more satisfactory to 

 clear out the house at one time and clean it thoroughly before a new 

 crop is started. 



11. Forcing Cucumbers. 



Cucumbers are now forced in considerable quantity for the New 

 York and Boston markets, to a less degree perhaps for the other 

 leading markets of the country. Many of these forced crops are 

 passing from the position of luxuries to that of necessities. The 

 forcing of cucumbers is an older industry in New England than is 

 ordinarily supposed. The English varieties grown at Cornell and 

 mentioned below are not cultivated; they are not profitable. 



A. The Beginning of Cucumber Forcing in New England. 



The following interesting note on the forcing of cucumbers in 

 Massachusetts is contributed by Dr. Jabez Fisher, of Fitchburg, 

 Mass.: "As near as I can recall, my experience with cucumber 

 growing is as follows: 



"In the spring of 1860, I built a small glass house, and in 1861 

 extended it to 105 feet in length; width, 18^ feet; double span, run- 

 ning north and south, and with double glazing enclosing an air 

 space of one and one-half inches. It was built for forcing grapes 

 (V. vinifera) in large pots, and strawberries in six-inch pots. In 

 1862 a single cucumber, self-sown, came up in the central bed, 

 which looked so promising that I had not the heart to destroy it, 

 and placed a stake by the side of it and trained it up to the top of 

 the house, about seven feet. Along with strawberries sent to Boston 

 market, I sent at four different times in all twelve cucumbers which 

 sold for $3.08 net. This was a new idea, and I kept it in sight. In 

 December, 1863, the grapes proving unsatisfactory, I planted a few 

 cucumbers, the product of which was 1421 lbs., bringing $325.61. 

 These were sold to William Taylor, of New York, who, I think, was 



