308 



VEGETABLE FORCING 



seeds are easily sep- 

 arated from the pulp 

 by washing. The 

 plump, heavy seeds 

 will settle to the bot- 

 tom of the vessel and 

 the pulp and light seeds 

 will float, and may be 

 poured off. The seed 

 should be thoroughly 

 dried after washing and 

 then stored in a dry, 

 warm room. The at- 

 mospheric conditions 

 of any room in a resi- 

 dence provided with 

 heat will be satisfac- 

 tory for the storage of 

 cucumber seed. 



It has been conclus- 

 ively demonstrated that 

 cucumber seed should 

 be at least two years old before it is planted, and some 

 growers believe that even older seed is preferable. The 

 seeds are usually viable even at seven years, and if 

 properly preserved they will retain their vitality several 

 years longer. New seeds produce the strongest stem 

 and leaves, but old seeds yield the largest crops. 



Starting the plants. The time required from seed sow- 

 ing until marketable fruit develops will depend on varie- 

 ties planted, season of year and temperature of the house. 

 Ordinarily, specimens of good size are obtained in from 

 70 to 90 days. The development of the crop is slowest 

 during the dull, short days of the fall and winter, and 

 most rapid during the long, bright sunny days of the 

 spring and early summer. Seed sown the first of Sep- 

 tember should produce some specimens of marketable 



Fig. 105. Davis Perfect from the originator. 



