THE CUCUMBER. 69 
to be in a hurry to remove the second plant before 
you can make sure of one good one. 
No fire-heat will be necessary before September 
when the nights begin to get cold, and water must be 
carefully given at first. A little air may be admitted 
above, but not much and only on fine days. If insects 
appear, fumigate immediately. The most troublesome 
pest is the thrip; no time must be lost as soon as it 
appears, but apply at once some mild insecticide by 
carefully sponging the under side of the leaf, or apply 
tobacco powder with a dredging-box to the same part 
of the leaf, for this is where it secretes itself, and if left 
alone for a few days, woe be to the Cucumber plants, 
for the remedy will very likely be as bad as the disease. 
So hard is this pest to despatch, that in nine cases out 
of ten it will be a wonder if you do not kill the plants 
in trying to despatch this tenacious enemy. Watch 
therefore and keep up a sharp look-out for its first 
appearance. There are few other enemies likely to 
trouble you so much as this in house Cucumber 
growing. 
As soon as the plants reach the roof, which should 
be provided with wires on which to train the vines, 
the leaders should be stopped. This will induce the 
plants to give two or three laterals, which must he 
trained out, and as soon as these get a foot long stop 
them, which will induce more laterals, and these will 
give fruit. As the vines advance some thinning out 
will be necessary. Do not allow them to become con- 
fused, but keep them well trained and moderately thin. 
At times some cutting back of a portion of the leaders 
will be necessary to prevent a lack of young stuff, and 
consequently fruit, at the lower part of the vines. 
