42 GARDENING 



it to run up to 75° with air on. If the nights are 

 cold a mat should be thrown over the glass. The 

 foliage should be sprinkled every day with tepid 

 water wlien closing the frame ; as the season ad- 

 vances the foliage should be syringed twice a day, 

 early in the morning and again about three. Abun- 

 dance of moisture is needed atmospherically in the 

 house, as it is not only beneficial to the cucumbers, 

 but for the prevention of insect pests ; a dry atmo- 

 sphere encourages the spread of red spider. 



Ventilation is also most necessary in cucumber 

 cultivation, and should be given whenever condi- 

 tions are favourable. It is a wrong practice to 

 allow the temperature to rise considerably before 

 putting on air, as is often donC; as then whatever 

 ventilation is put on will not counteract the evil 

 done, and consequently the cucumber very quickly 

 gets a parched appearance. 



One often sees cucumbers form freely, but in- 

 stead of coming to maturity they damp off, and 

 direct light is needed to form a fruitful growth. 



Cucumbers require a great deal oi feeding \ if 

 not, innumerable insects will attack them, as well as 

 mildew. To feed them, give them manure water 

 made from fresh cow manure and soot, which must 

 be applied in a diluted and clean state. ' 



If the cucumbers are in a house or greenhouse, 

 it is a good plan on closing it on the evening of 

 fine days to damp the floor. The house or frame 

 should be shaded on bright days from 10 A.M. till 

 4 P.M., then sprinkled and closed. The frame should 

 be opened just a little in the morning by seven 

 o'clock, increasing the ventilation according to the 

 temperature outside. 



A layer of moss litter manured is a great source 



