248 MANAGEMENT OF THE VARIOUS CROPS. 
CUCUMBER. 
Forcing cucumbers are of two types, the English or 
frame kinds, and the White Spine kinds. The former are 
characterized by very large size, partial or complete ab- 
sence of spines, more or less seedlessness, very ram- 
pant growth of vine, tardiness in coming into fruit, and a 
long-continuing period of bearing. The White Spine type 
is more commonly forced for market in this country 
(pages 184, 194). - 
The English cucumbers like a temperature of about 60° 
or 65° at night, and of 70° to 75° at day (page 186). 
It is exceedingly important that the vines should be 
kept in a uniform and vigorous condition of growth from 
the start, but avoid pushing them very much in dull 
weather. English cucumbers are gross feeders, and must 
have a rich soil (page 186). 
From 80 to too days are required, in winter, from the 
sowing of the seed of English cucumbers to the securing 
of the fruit. The plants must have good bottom heat 
(page 189). 
The plants are started in pots (3-inch rose pots being 
excellent), which are at first only athird or half full of 
earth. From these pots the plants are turned directly into 
the benches, where they should stand about 2% by 3 ft. 
apart. When in the pots, the plants must never be 
allowed to become checked, and they must be kept free 
of aphis (page 187). 
The plants are trained upon a wire trellis, or some- 
times on the roof. Usually two or three strong branches 
or leaders are allowed to each plant, and a few strong 
side shoots are taken out of each leader. All weak 
growths are pinched out (page 188). 
Leading varieties of English cucumbers are Sion 
House, Telegraph, Edinburgh, and Blue Gown (page 
190). 
It is generally necessary, to insure a crop, to hand- 
