Cress Cucumber 



gladly cultivate it were there a reasonable prospect of success. 

 Assertions have been made that it can be grown in any garden 

 without water, but we have never yet seen a sample fit to eat which 

 has been grown without assistance from the water can. A running 

 stream is not necessary. Make a trench in a shady spot, and well 

 enrich the soil at the bottom of it. In this sow the seed in March, 

 and when the plants are established keep the soil well moistened. 

 The more freely this is done the better will be the result. Other 

 sowings may be made in April, August, and September. We have 

 seen Water Cress successfully cultivated in pots and pans immersed 

 in saucers of water placed in shady positions. 



CUCUMBER 



Cucumis sativus 



THE CUCUMBER is everywhere valued, and much spirit is shown in 

 its production, even in gardens where few other subjects obtain a fair 

 share of attention. Its exceeding usefulness explains its popularity, 

 and happily the plant is of an accommodating character. In the 

 gardens of the wealthy, Cucumbers are grown at all seasons of the 

 year; in medium-sized gardens, summer Cucumbers are generally 

 deemed sufficient, and there is no difficulty in growing an abundant 

 and continuous supply of the finest quality. The winter cultivation 

 demands suitable appliances and skilful management; but a very 

 small house, with an efficient heating apparatus, will suffice to pro- 

 duce a large and constant supply, and therefore winter Cucumbers 

 need not be regarded as beyond the range of practice of any ordinary 

 well-kept garden. 



Frame Cucumbers are the most in demand, and the easiest 

 to grow. The very first point for the cultivator is to determine when 

 to begin, for the rule is to begin too early, and to waste time and 

 opportunity in consequence. We will suppose the Cucumbers are 

 to be grown in a two-light frame, for which will be required four good 

 cartloads of stable manure. This should be put in a heap three 

 weeks before the bed is made ,up, and the bed will have to last 

 until the season is sufficiently advanced to sustain the heat without 

 any further fermentation. Considering these points, it will be under- 

 stood that it is a far safer proceeding to begin the first week in April 

 than the first week in March, and unless the way is clearly seen, the 

 laterjdate is certainly preferable, for it reduces to a minimum the 



51 E 2 



