268 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES. 



moisture until the plants take hold. As soon as the plants 

 appear, cultivation must begin, using the horse between 

 the rows and the hoe around the plants. The surface 

 must be kept mellow and free from weeds. If the plants 

 all grow, select the best two or three and pull out the 

 others. Continue cultivation as long as it is possible to 

 stir the soil without injuring the vines. 



Gathering. Frequent gathering of the cucumbers as 

 they reach satisfactory size is essential to the long bear- 

 ing of the vines. None should be allowed to ripen except 

 on vines planted for that purpose, and all imperfect speci- 

 mens should be taken off as soon as seen. 



Cucumbers Under Cover. Very little is done in Cali- 

 fornia in house-growing of cucumbers, although this in- 

 terest is increasing. A little forcing is done by market 

 gardeners, but the business is risky because of the slight 

 demand and the fact that open-air cucumbers from early 

 regions come so soon after the late crop from frostless 

 places is disposed of. It is quite common to start plants 

 under cover, and plant out early even at risk of replant- 

 ing. Growers usually keep a stock of plants ready for this 

 purpose. 



Garden Culture of Cucumbers. In the garden very 

 elaborate arrangements may be made to secure early 

 cucumbers. Growing the plants on inverted sod and 

 planting out as a whole hill, as described in the chapter 

 on propagation, is satisfactory. Planting on the sides of 

 ditches has already been mentioned. Growing hills or 

 single plants in tin cans or other receptacles and pro- 

 tecting them until safe to plant out is also an easy way to 

 get an earlier crop than otherwise. Some use is made 

 of deep holes partly filled with tramped horse manure 

 and then with earth, and growing plants on top of the hill 

 thus formed, protected with glass or cloth. With such 

 arrangements double care must be had to supply enough 

 water. The south side of a fence or building is a good 

 place for fast spring growth. In short, moderate heat, 

 copious watering and rich soil are the secrets of good 



