312 



VEGETABLE FORCING 



previously indicated, berry baskets, or perhaps beds. 

 (Fig. 109.) This work should be done with extreme care 

 in order to avoid breaking the tender roots. If the flats 

 or beds are watered a few hours before the seedlings are 

 pricked out, there will be less breakage of the roots. 



Excessive amounts of water applied to the young 

 plants will cause them to become weak and spindling if 

 accompanied by high temperatures and, under such con- 

 ditions, there will be very poor development of the roots. 

 Excessive watering and low temperatures will check the 

 growth and stunt the plants. They seldom recover or 



Fig. 109. A cucumber nursery in the Boston dijtrict. 



produce satisfactory crops. On the other hand, insuffi- 

 cient watering must be guarded against, for this also 

 prevents proper development. Good judgment must be 

 exercised in this the most important operation in the 

 growing of good plants. 



Young cucumber plants are easily injured by low 

 temperatures. They demand a night temperature of at 

 least 65 degrees, and 5 degrees higher is preferable. 

 The day temperature, with ventilation, may range from 

 75 to 90 degrees. A fairly moist atmosphere is favorable 



