WAYS TO GROW CUCUMBERS 195 



from the open ground at Thanksgiving or later are common in 

 some regions. 



Soil. Cucumbers require a rich soil, and it must be retentive 

 of moisture, for the reasons stated, unless water is to be constantly 

 supplied. A rather light soil which warms up early is preferable, 

 but heavy soil can be readily adapted to cucumbers on a small scale 

 by free use of well-rotted manure thoroughly mixed. A free loam, 

 not disposed to bake, is the best soil. 



Preparation of Soil. Land from which a well-cultivated root 

 crop has been removed for winter use can be easily put into condi- 

 tion for cucumbers by good deep spring plowing and harrowing, 

 to retain moisture. New land should receive such fall and winter 

 treatment as has been prescribed for bean planting, so as to secure 

 in spring as good tilth and moisture retention as possible. 



Planting and Cultivation. Cucumbers are usually grown in 

 hills, from four to six feet apart each way. Planting should not 

 be done until the soil becomes warm and frost injury is over; then 

 planting five or six seeds in a hill, covering as lightly as can be 

 trusted to retain 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. 



Field planting is sometimes done by turning furrows eight feet 

 apart, planting the seed on each side of the furrow, having the hills 

 at least four feet apart in the row; train the vines away from the 

 furrow and use the furrow to run the water in, keeping it away 

 from the plant and the fruit. 



Gathering. Frequent gathering of the cucumbers as they reach 

 satisfactory size is essential to the long bearing of the vines. None 

 should be allowed to ripen except on vines planted for that purpose, 

 and all imperfect specimens should be taken off as soon as seen. 



Cucumbers Under Cover. Very little is done in California in 

 house-growing of cucumbers. 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 f rostless places is disposed of. Grow- 

 ing under cover of glass or cloth is done without providing artificial 

 heat. The natural temperatures and protection from frost are relied 

 upon. It is quite common to start plants under cover, and plant 

 out early even at risk of replanting. 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 de- 

 scribed in Chapter XI, is satisfactory. Planting on the sides of 

 ditches has already been mentioned. Growing hills or single plants 

 in tin cans or other receptacles and protecting them until safe to 



