326 



VEGETABLE FORCING 



tying is necessary to secure the leaders to the wires of 

 the trellis. This system of training is best adapted to 

 varieties that are most vigorous in growth, such as the 

 English type. It is necessary to set the plants 4 or 5 feet 

 apart in order to have sufficient space to train up the 

 branches. 



The arbor (or modified upright) system of training is 

 well illustrated in Figs. 114 and 115. With this system 

 of training a single stem is grown until it reaches the wire 

 arbor at a height of about 6 feet from the ground. The 

 laterals of this stem are pinched just beyond the first 

 female blossom, but, as a rule, not more than five or six 

 cucumbers are allowed to develop below the trellis. After 

 the main stem is pinched back, branches grow out in 

 every direction and soon cover the trellis, forming an 

 arbor with the cucumbers suspended below. A certain 

 amount of pruning is then necessary to prevent too much 

 vining. This system is especially well adapted to the 

 Abundance or other American-English crosses. The 

 main stem is supported by a string and the trellis is made 

 of No. 16 wires, 6 inches apart, running through light 

 strips placed at intervals of about 8 feet. 



The A-form system is largely used in the United States. 

 It is popular in New England and also in western forc- 

 ing sections. The system as shown in Fig. 113 is con- 

 sidered highly satisfactory by many growers, especially 

 in the amount of light and sunshine which each plant re- 

 ceives. The trellis may be made of wires placed about 

 10 inches apart, running through 2 by 4 scantlings, which 

 are connected in the form of the letter A sufficiently close 

 to give proper support to the wires and plants. Single- 

 stem plants are trained over the trellis, by tying them as 

 they reach each wire, until they reach the last wire, when 

 the tops are nipped. All of the laterals are also nipped, 

 usually just beyond the first female blossom. Secondary 

 laterals may be allowed to develop if desired, but this is 



