OF EARLY CUCUMBERS. 25 



The plants should be always topped when 

 young, at the first joint, as before directed ; then 

 let them run two joints twice following;* 

 afterwards keep them topped at the first joint, 

 except it be blind, which may be easily ascer- 

 tained by close examination ; if you find such to 

 be the case, let it run another joint before it is 

 topped. 



It is necessary that the plants should be con- 

 tinued in leaf mould until the middle of January, 

 as there is no other in which they will thrive so 

 well at that season of the year. Their peculiar 

 and tender nature bears a strong resemblance to 

 young children, in the care requisite for their 



* The Author would recommend January-sown plants, 

 after having been topped at the first joint, to run four joints, 

 then topped again at the first joint, when they will generally 

 show fruit, and, if properly attended to, will swell off to seven 

 or eight inches in length, as the first shows do not come so 

 fine as those afterwards. Do not let more than one fruit 

 swell upon a plant at a time, as more will cause them to grow 

 ill-shaped, and not near so fine. 



E 



