222 CRESS OR PEPPER GRASS. 



raising them, is in a cold frame on pieces of inverted sod, in the 

 same manner as recommended for the Lima Bean. This should 

 be done about the middle of May, the sod cut into pieces about 

 four inches square, and three or four seeds planted on each piece. 

 Care must be taken not to allow the plants to get drawn up, but 

 by giving plenty of air keep them stocky and hardy. When 

 they have three or four rough leaves, they can be transplanted by 

 lifting up the bit of sod and setting it in the hill where it is intended 

 they shall grow. It is best to do this transplanting just before 

 sundown, so that the plants may have the night in which to 

 recover from the disturbance, but if the removal be carefully made 

 they will not feel the change. If water be given at the time of 

 transplanting, let it be a thorough soaking, sprinkled on through 

 a fine rose, that will sink down below the roots. 



When the cucumbers are large enough to cut, the vines should 

 be examined every day, and all that are large enough, and all 

 that are misshapen, imperfect or worthless, taken off; for if any 

 are allowed to remain on the vine to ripen, the crop will be 

 materially lessened, the energies of the vine seeming to be directed 

 to the ripening of those that are left on, instead of the setting of 

 more fruit. K it be desired to save seed from any, a few of the 

 best formed may be left on a vine that is quite removed from those 

 of any other sort, and allowed to ripen. They intermingle so readily 

 that it is diflS.cult to get pure seed when more than one variety is 

 raised in the same garden. Careful gardeners keep a vine in a 

 frame where it can be well secured from the pollen of any other 

 sort, until the desired number of fruit has set, fertilizing the pis- 

 tillate flowers by hand. The seed has great vitality, retaining 

 the power of germination for eight or ten years. 



The following sorts will be found the most profitable. 



Early Frame. — ^An old and well-tried variety, much esteemed 

 on account of its vigorous and productive character, and the 

 tender quality and agreeable flavor of the fruit. It is used both 

 for the table and for pickles. 



White Spine. — A great favorite with market gardeners 



