THE CUCUMBER. 26 1 



apt to get dry, being shaded and level, but that in the 

 pot gets dry more quickly. 



I have generally cut cucumbers within six weeks 

 after planting the plants in the fruiting -pit. When 

 they begin to bear, it is an error to let them bear too 

 freely at first ; a few should only be left to each plant 

 until the whole trellis is covered with foliage, by 

 which time they require to be looked over every third 

 day to stop, thin, and regulate the growths, so that 

 each leaf has plenty of room to expand properly and 

 fully perform its functions. There is no greater error 

 than the crowding system. It ends in weakly growths, 

 damping leaves, and malformed useless fruits. I am 

 of course presuming that the linings have been attended 

 to whenever signs of declining heat have been noticed. 

 There should always be a sufficient amount of fer- 

 menting material mixed and in a hot state, ready to 

 mix into or replace partially the linings when they 

 cool. It is best to renew the back lining and one of 

 the ends, and the front and other end lining alter- 

 nately. April is a deceptive month to the inexperi- 

 enced ; and as comparatively warm is then often sud- 

 denly succeeded by very cold weather, the linings 

 should be kept in an active condition to be able to 

 compete with these changes, and double and single 

 coverings used over the glass, as such weather renders 

 it necessary. 



WATERING AND STOPPING, ETC. 



After the beginning of April, the foliage may be 

 sprinkled all over through a fine rose on the afternoon 

 of every fine day, and the pit closely shut up and 

 aired afterwards as already directed. More frequent 



