104 Commercial Gardening 



Topdressing". When the new roots are seen coming through the 

 surface of the soil it becomes necessary to add fresh compost to the 

 mounds. An inch or so all over of a fairly rich gritty soil will be 

 sufficient. Right through the period of growth this topdressing operation 

 must be performed at fairly regular intervals. Some growers use in 

 addition to the compost special stimulants in the shape of concentrated 

 proprietary manures in small doses. Nitrate of soda is also used as a 

 liquid manure at the rate of 1 oz. to 1 gall, of water, but only when the 

 foliage shows any signs of turning yellow. Topdressing with fresh stable 

 manure should be avoided, as the ammoniacal fumes may scorch the 

 leaves and spoil the plants. Soot is used to give a deeper green to the 

 leaves and fruits, but it should be used sparingly, as large quantities are 

 likely to impart a bitter flavour to the Cucumbers. 



Stopping". When Cucumbers are planted from 2 to 3 ft. apart, the 

 main stem is often allowed to reach the top before it is " stopped " by 

 having the tip pinched out. Some, however, pinch it once or twice before 

 it reaches the top, and all young fruits and flowers on the main stem 

 are suppressed as they appear. This induces the quicker development 

 of the "laterals" or side shoots. These are stopped, as a rule, at the 

 second joint when a fruit has formed at the first joint. The sub-laterals, 

 or shoots arising from the laterals, are stopped in the same way at the 

 second joint if a fruit has formed. After this it is a matter of judgment 

 as to whether further shoots shall be allowed to develop or to be sup- 

 pressed, according to the state and strength of the plants and the time 

 available to finish the crop. But as a rule market growers rarely allow 

 fresh growth beyond the sub-laterals. 



Tying". To be able to tie the shoots of Cucumbers quickly and well 

 to the trellises requires some little practice and experience. It is necessary 

 to have a tie at almost every joint, and the operator must take great care 

 not to rub off or knock off the flowers from the tips of the small fruits, 

 as this seems to have the effect of stunting their growth. 



Sy ring-ing". In Cucumber growing the syringe is frequently used, 

 but especially in the morning, and in the afternoon when the ventilators 

 are closed or nearly closed. A moist atmosphere, combined with genial 

 warmth, are essential to healthy growth and rapid swelling of the fruits. 

 The moisture is also the great check or antidote to attacks of Red Spider. 

 If the atmosphere cannot be kept sufficiently humid with the syringe and 

 the usual watering, it will be necessary to damp down the pathways and 

 walls frequently, and dry currents of air must not be allowed to rush 

 through the doors or ventilators. While too dry an atmosphere is bad, 

 care must be taken, in rendering it humid, not to make the compost round 

 the roots so sodden with water that the fresh air is driven out of it, and 

 the decaying organic material in it becomes sour, and engenders the 

 development of Eelworm at the roots and "spot" in the leaf. 



Shading". Although the Cucumber comes from hot and sunny climes, 

 nevertheless it must be shaded slightly from even our British summer 



