566 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



CUCUMBER GROWING. 



In the September number of the 'Gardener' you published a few 

 remarks on a mode of growing Cucumbers for market : we very- 

 much regret to find that there was an error as to the sort mentioned 

 as found best for this particular purpose. It was there stated to 

 be Sutton's Perfection; we now find it is Sutton's Champion, a 

 variety brought into notice perhaps a dozen years ago. 



On visiting our industrious friend a few days ago, he gave us 

 this information, as well as a little more. We found him busy re- 

 pairing, cleaning, and getting ready for the coming season. As there 

 is but little demand for Cucumbers at this season, we found the 

 structure empty except one division, where there were a few old Plums 

 and some good fruit hanging; also a goodly stock of young, healthy 

 plants ready for the troughs. To show that the most cautious may 

 err ; — a few plants had been put out, but as a brick flue had just 

 been built instead of the old socket - pipes, and the work had not 

 had time to dry, the fumes given off had destroyed the plants. The 

 good man took it very patiently, said he was glad it was not his 

 best plants, and that he had plenty more to replace them. Here 

 was philosophy and prudence. He submitted to what could not 

 be helped : he was provided against contingencies. Nothing so 

 likely to happen as the unexpected. In again discussing his mode 

 of growing, he said, no doubt he was successful, but then he gave 

 his time and attention to it. A gentleman's gardener, with fifty 

 other things on hand, would be almost sure to fail. He never 

 had spider, thrip, scorching, or anything else amiss with his plants ; 

 but were the soil once to get dry, he would soon be eaten up with 

 insects, and the plants fail. This witness is true. This great fact 

 is applicable to all artificial plant-growing and forcing operations. 

 Every gardener capable of reflection knows that these pests are the 

 result of neglect. We do not say that the attendant is always to 

 blame — men often have more than enough exacted of them; but 

 in many cases these things arise from ignorance or misdirected 

 energy. 



With proper attention, the trough system has many advantages ; 

 the small amount of soil induces moderate growth and fruitfulness, 

 with fair-sized fruit, which is more saleable than very large ones. 

 We could never see the good of very large Cucumbers for a family. 

 What is not used at once is generally wasted, and the amount of 

 energy required to produce a brace 24 or 27 inches long would 

 produce at least double the number of fruit from 15 to 18 inches, 

 and these are ample for ordinary purposes. S. X. 



