Cultivation and J\lanagemcnt of forced Cucumbers. 55 



a pump or draw-well would chill the soil, and materially retard 

 the gi'owth of the plants. 



11" the practice of growing the plants in the hill and adding 

 the soil eveiy two or three days, as just recommended, (which 

 will be found to be decidedly the best plan,) is carefully fol- 

 lowed, it will be about three weeks before the frame is wholly 

 earthed over with the compost; in a short time there will he 

 an abundance of cucumbers, and the vines will continue all 

 through the summer to bear plenty of fruit, if attention is 

 given to pruning and thinning them out occasionally, and sup- 

 plying the roots with a bountiful quantity of water. 



A small one-light frame is the most suitable for rais'r.g the 

 plants in, as it saves both time and trouble. The bed ought 

 to be made as recommended for the fruiting plants; the seed 

 to be sown in No. 1 pots, only two in each pot. Wiien the 

 plants make their appearance, give air every day, if it be only 

 by propping up the sash half an inch; if the weather is cold 

 and windy, place a bass mat over the part where the air is ad- 

 mitted, in order that the young plants may not be chilled by 

 the cold wind. 



By sowing the seed as here advised, the plants can be re- 

 potted two or three times, and receive no check in their 

 growth. When the plants have made their second leaf, which 

 will be large and rough, they must be stopped, by taking off 

 the centre or leader with the finger and thumb; this will be 

 the means of making them throw out their side shoots, which 

 will be strong and vigorous. The same plan of stopping the 

 shoots is to be practised in the fruiting beds occasionally. 

 Remember always to stop the shoots one or two joints above 

 the fruity and cut out some of the vines, especially such as 

 are found to produce nothing but male flowers. Attention 

 must also be given to the impregnation of the flowers in the 

 early months, before the plants are fully exposed to the air, 

 or the bees or the wind can perform the same operation for 

 the gardener. This is particularly necessary, or the fruit will 

 not swell freely, or attain a good size. 



I would add, that the long prickly cucumber is the most 

 desirable sort for forcing, and also for bearing throughout the 

 season. 



J. W. Russell. 

 Worcester, Mass., Jan. 1842. 



