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 be 

 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. 



