248 MANAGEMENT OF THE VARIOUS CROPS. 



CUCUMBER. 



Forcing cucumbers are of two types, the English or 

 frame kinds, and the White Spine kinds. The former are 

 characterized by very large size, partial or complete ab- 

 sence of spines, more or less seedlessness, very ram- 

 pant growth of vine, tardiness in coming into fruit, and a 

 long-continuing period of bearing. The White Spine type 

 is more commonly forced for market in this country 

 (pages 184, 194). 



The English cucumbers like a temperature of about 60 

 or 65 at night, and of 70 to 75 at day (page 186). 



It is exceedingly important that the vines should be 

 kept in a uniform and vigorous condition of growth from 

 the start, but avoid pushing them very much in dull 

 weather. English cucumbers are gross feeders, and must 

 have a rich soil (page 186). 



From 80 to 100 days are required, in winter, from the 

 sowing of the seed of English cucumbers to the securing 

 of the fruit. The plants must have good bottom heat 

 (page 189). 



The plants are started in pots (3-inch rose pots being 

 excellent), which are at first only a third or half full of 

 earth. From these pots the plants are turned directly into 

 the benches, where they should stand about 2% by 3 ft. 

 apart. When in the pots, the plants must never be 

 allowed to become checked, and they must be kept free 

 of aphis (page 187). 



The plants are trained upon a wire trellis, or some- 

 times on the roof. Usually two or three strong branches 

 or leaders are allowed to each plant, and a few strong 

 side shoots are taken out of each leader. All weak 

 growths are pinched out (page 188). 



Leading varieties of English cucumbers are Sion 

 House, Telegraph, Edinburgh, and Blue Gown (page 

 190). 



It is generally necessary, to insure a crop, to hand- 



