42 ON THE CULTURE OP THE CUCUMBER 



From 75 to 80 are as high as the plant will 

 bear with advantage ; and in that temperature 

 fruit will grow faster than in a higher one ; the 

 pruning and stopping being attended to as pre- 

 viously laid down. 



As to insects, they are seldom met with on 

 plants in health and vigour, but excess of heat 

 and drought will, doubtless, tend to propagate, 

 if not to produce them ; and, where they exist, 

 will cause them to multiply rapidly. Every 

 care should therefore be taken to obviate the 

 contending with such evils ; and a good depth 

 of mould for the plants to grow in, frequent 

 syringing with water, and slight shading, during 

 a hot sun in the middle of the day, and keeping 

 the internal heat of the bed as moist as possible, 

 without actual injury to the plants, will prevent 

 the appearance of the red spider and the 

 thrip. Canker is engendered by too much 

 wet and too little heat ; and the only remedy is 

 a good heat, and getting the bed as dry as pos- 

 sible for a time. 



