344 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



during the earlier stages, and in doing this give plenty of air both 

 night and day, to enable the new growth to be both stout and firm. 

 Towards the end of September air must be admitted more cau- 

 tiously, as the nights are sometimes cold and damp, and the fires 

 must be started about the same time, to keep the temperature to its 

 proper height, and also to expel any excess of moisture. Also bear 

 in mind that a close stagnant atmosphere at this season of the year 

 is a frequent cause of mildew, which must be warded ofi" by timely 

 attention, or the plants will soon be destroyed. Fiftiily, you must 

 not stop the young growth severely after it has reached the trellis. 

 One or two pinchings of the strongest leaders, about the middle of 

 October, is all that will be required. After that time they will not 

 make more growth than is needful for the production of fresh fruit. 



As regards the temperature of the house up to that time, much 

 will depend upon the state of the weather. If a nice growing tem- 

 perature of 70° can be obtained during the day, and by early closing 

 60^^ during the night, the plants will be better without the aid of 

 fire-heat. A high temperature in the house up to this time only 

 creates a weak spindly growth, which, when winter comes with its 

 long nights and dull days, is next to useless for the production of 

 fruit. Care, too, must be taken not to over-crop through the first 

 part of the season, if a continuous supply of fruit is required. The 

 cultivator must aiui at securing vigorous-grown plants by the end of 

 November without the use of much artificial heat, and then they will 

 be in good condition to go through the winter satisfactorily. De- 

 pend upon it, nothing beats a healthy root-action, and a strong 

 vigorous growth, obtained as much as possible under the most 

 natural conditions. Every leaf made after the middle of November 

 must be preserved with the greatest care, for after that time no 

 more are produced than are really required. The leaves must be kept 

 clean and healthy by gentle syringings on the mornings of mild 

 days, when air can be admitted to dry up the superfluous moisture 

 quickly. A gentle fumigation of tobacco must be given directly 

 there is the least trace of green-fly or thrips. 



A temperature of 70° to 7.5'-' by day, and 60*^ by night, is a safe 

 temperature for so dull a season of the year. In the spring, plants 

 that have been in bearing for two or three monthp very often show 

 signs of weakness ; therefore, they must not be excited too soon. 

 The middle or end of February will be plenty early enough, and 

 then, as the days lengthen, a day temperature of 80° by fire-heat may 

 be maintained. Previous to increasing the day temperature, give the 

 surface of the bed a top-dressing three inches in thickness of very 

 abort rotten dung, the fattest that can be obtained, or, what is better 

 still, equal parts dung and good lumpy fibrous loam : this should be 

 warmed before being put on the bed. The surface roots will soon 

 find their way into this, and in a short time throw new life and vigour 

 into the plants. In March, syringing, both night and early morning, 

 may be practised with benefit, and a humid atmosphere must also 

 be maintained by the use of evaporating troughs, and by frequently 

 damping the paths of the house. Remember that cucumber plants 

 absorb an immense quantity by their leaves. In a few weeks from 



