52 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



Having made a beginning with strong plants on a good bed, the 

 two matters of importance are to regulate the temperature and the 

 watering. In the first instance, it will be necessary to shade the 

 plants a little, but as they acquire strength they should have more 

 light and more air than are usually allowed to Cucumbers. A 

 temperature averaging 60 by night and 80 by day will be found 

 safe and profitable, as promoting a healthy growth and lasting fruit- 

 fulness. But the rule must be elastic. You may shut up at 90 

 without harm, and during sunshine the glass may rise to 95 without 

 injury, provided the plants have air and are not dry at the roots. 

 But it is of great moment that the night temperature should be kept 

 near 60, and not go below it. If you find the night tempera- 

 ture has been above the proper point owing to the heat of the bed, 

 wedge up the lights about half an inch when shutting up, and as the 

 season advances increase this supply of night air, for it keeps the 

 plants in health, provided there is no chill accompanying it. As 

 regards the watering, the important point is to employ soft water 

 of the same temperature as the frame, and therefore a spare can, 

 filled with water, should be always kept in the frame ready for use, 

 and when emptied should be filled again and left for the next water- 

 ing. Twice a day at least the plants and the sides of the frame 

 should be well wetted with a shower from the syringe. It is better 

 to syringe three times than twice, but this must be in some degree 

 determined by the temperature. The greater the heat, the more 

 freely should air and water be supplied ; on the other hand, if the 

 heat runs down, give water with caution, or disaster may follow. In 

 case of emergency the plants will go through a bad time without 

 serious damage if kept almost dry, and then it will be prudent to 

 give but little air. Sometimes the heat of the bed runs out before 

 there is sufficient sun heat to keep the plants growing, but if they can 

 be maintained in health for a week or so, hot weather may set in, and 

 all will come right. But to carry through at such a time demands 

 particular care as to watering and air giving. 



As regards stopping and training, we may as well say at once, the 

 less of both the better. Free healthy natural growth will result in an 

 abundant production of fruit, and stopping and training will do but 

 little to promote the end in view. But there is something to be 

 done to secure an even growth, and the exposure of every leaf to 

 light. When the young plant has made three rough leaves, nip out 

 the point to encourage the production of shoots from the base. When 

 the shoots have made four leaves, nip out the points to promote a 



