128 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



plants are ventilated on all fine days by raising the 

 cloches one, two, or three notches on the " tilts " 

 in the way shown at p. 42. At night-time it may be 

 necessary to cover the cloches with mats for protection 

 against frost. When the plants have commenced to 

 grow freely, the main shoot at first, and the others 

 afterwards, must be pinched or shortened back in 

 the same way as recommended for the plants grown 

 under lights in frames, the only difference being that 

 the shoots are left somewhat longer. The plants are 

 watered well when necessary, and the cloches are 

 taken off the plants altogether on fine days, replacing 

 them towards evening. In due course the shoots 

 will extend beyond the circumference of the cloches, 

 and the latter may then be placed on three tilts to 

 allow the shoots to spread naturally while protecting 

 the main portion of the plant. As the weather is 

 usually fine by the time the plants reach this stage, 

 there is little danger from frosts, and the first fruits 

 from Cucumbers grown in this way will be ready from 

 the middle of June and onwards till the end of August. 

 Open-air Culture. Cucumbers grown in the open 

 air are generally raised from seeds sown in April in 

 gentle hot-beds, afterwards transplanting in the way 

 described about the end of May on little hot-beds for 

 each plant. Seeds are often sown in such beds in May, 

 and the plants from them are allowed to grow on 

 without being disturbed. In the early stages it is 

 wise to cover the plants with cloches until they are 

 well established. While developing their growth, the 

 vacant soil between the plants and along the margins 

 of the beds may be utilised for a " catch crop " of 

 Lettuces or Radishes. " White-fruited " Cucumbers, 



