Vegetable Growing for Market 107 



Ridge Cucumbers were largely grown in the Evesham district until 

 recent years, since when they appear to have decreased in favour as 

 a remunerative crop. A variety named "Stockwood" was the favourite, 

 and a grower has informed the writer that he has known them to realize 

 90 per acre; but he estimated their average value until recently at about 

 45 per acre. 



Generally the Cucumber plants are raised from seed sown where the 

 plants are to be grown and fruited viz. on small mounds under which has 

 been placed one or two forkfuls of warm stable manure, the soil being 

 raised thereby. The top of each mound is flattened or slightly hollowed, 

 three or four seeds are planted in the middle and about 1J in. in depth; a 

 metal ring 10 or 12 in. in diameter and 4 or 5 in. in depth is placed over 

 them, and a piece of glass which is a little larger than the ring placed 

 over all. Until the seed has germinated the glass is kept covered on cold 

 and sunless days; but advantage is taken of a warm sun to raise the 

 temperature under the glass. When the plants appear above the soil the 

 weaklings are destroyed and the strong plants left to grow. Every night 

 the glass over each is covered with old bag, canvas, carpet, or anything 

 of the kind available, to prevent an undue lowering of temperature and 

 possible injury. By the time the plants outgrow the protection of ring 

 and glass, June is some days old, and the glass may be dispensed with. 

 These mounds are made about 5 ft. apart on warm borders, or between 

 triple and quadruple rows of early Broad Beans, which shelter and keep 

 them warm. 



Those who have a warm frame or greenhouse usually raise a few 

 hundreds or thousands of plants by sowing two or three seeds in pots 

 3 in. in diameter in light soil, and plunge the pots close together; the 

 strongest plants only are allowed to remain, as in the case of the seedlings 

 raised out-of-doors. By these means a few days are gained in cutting 

 the first fruits, and the surplus plants are sold at remunerative prices. 



The rows of mounds are about 6 ft. apart and about 5 ft. apart in the 

 rows. It will be readily understood that three or four rows of broad 

 beans 1 ft. or more high at the end of May and early in June, with a space 

 between of 3 or 4 ft. for these Cucumbers, form a very cosy and early 

 plantation when carried out to the extent of fifty or sixty rows of 

 Cucumbers and as many blocks or beds of early Beans. And it is not 

 difficult to realize what a substantial sum will be returned from a J- or J-ac. 

 plot of early Broad Beans and early Cucumbers, especially when there is 

 added the returns from early Radishes, which preceded the Cucumbers 

 the same season, the seed of which had been sown in December or 

 January. [j. U-] 



Insect Pests of Cucumbers. The worst insect pests of the 

 Cucumber are Thrips, Greenfly (aphides), Red Spider, slugs, woodlice, 

 and Eelworm. Greenfly are easily kept in check by syringing the young 

 plants occasionally with any of the soft soap, quassia, and nicotine 

 washes on the market. Thrips and Red Spider will both soon appear 



