324 VEGETABLE FORCING 



which would usually exist under ordinary forcing conditions em- 

 ployed in growing this crop. 



"6. That plants possess an individuality which has more to do 

 with their behavior than the different treatments which would com- 

 monly be given in greenhouse operations. That this individuality 

 shows itself in the form of plant, relative number of flowers and 

 fruit produced, and rapidity of germination and growth. That 

 better results can be obtained by using seed from the best . in- 

 dividuals than by attempting to influence production by increased 

 soil temperature." 



Shading. Shading is not considered necessary by all 

 growers of the spring and early summer crop. Some of 

 the most successful and extensive growers do not shade 

 the houses. If wilting can be prevented by proper ven- 

 tilation, sprinkling and watering, it is doubtful whether 

 there is any special advantage in shading, except that the 

 houses are more comfortable for the workmen. Shading, 

 however, is practiced by some of the best growers, but 

 applications of any kind should not be made to the glass 

 until the season is well advanced and there is a real 

 reason for reducing the temperature by this means. See 

 page 36 for information on methods. 



Ventilation is necessary to maintain the health and 

 vigor of the plants. Inasmuch as the cucumber is very 

 sensitive to drafts and extremes in temperature, the ut- 

 most care should be exercised in ventilating. The vents 

 should be opened only a trifle in the morning, when the 

 temperature has risen to almost 75 degrees, and later in 

 the day they should be opened sufficiently to hold the 

 temperature if possible at about 85 degrees. In the sum- 

 mer time the temperature often exceeds 85 degrees, but 

 injuries seldom result if moisture conditions of the house 

 and soil are properly controlled. 



Training and pruning. The systems of pruning and 

 training the cucumber are not so distinct and well defined 

 as are those used with the tomato. Growers in various 

 parts of the country differ greatly in their ideas of train- 

 ing and pruning. Formerly, there was a disposition to 



