208 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



There are various methods of growing the Ridge Cucumber, 

 on hillocks, on beds or in long single rows but whatever the 

 method adopted may be, where profit is aimed at the crop 

 should be early. To secure earliness, strong plants must be 

 raised in warmth, set out after being well hardened on a site 

 of which the soil is warmed by having fermenting manure 

 put underneath, and sheltered from frost and cold winds until 

 full exposure becomes safe. 



To prepare good plants sow the seed in the middle of April, 

 on a hot-bed, and handle the plants in precisely the same 

 manner as frame cucumbers, except that during the week 

 before planting out they must be given plenty of air on all 

 suitable occasions. 



The plants are set out in rows 6ft. apart, running north and 

 south. A row of peas or broad beans should previously have 

 been set between the positions intended for the Cucumbers, 

 as these afford much welcome protection from cold winds and 

 are off the ground by the time the Cucumbers are well estab- 

 lished and begin to run. In the centre of each 6ft. space take 

 out a trench 18in. wide and a spit deep. Fill this level with 

 fermenting manure, or with half manure and half leaves, grass, 

 mouldy hay, or any other similar material which will give off 

 the necessary warmth during the process of fermentation. 

 Tread this down firmly, and cover it with the soil from the 

 trench, broken up well. This should be done about the end of 

 April or the first week in May, When the soil is warm set the 

 plants along the centre of the mound, singly at 18in. apart, or 

 in pairs at intervals of 2ft. 6in. Water in well and cover with 

 cloches or with one of the other devices for protection described 

 and illustrated in Chapter XVII. 



If the plants are strong, pinch out the centres before setting 

 them out ; or this may be done as soon as they start growing 

 in the bed. Any further stopping or training is unnecessary. 



For a few days after setting out keep the plants closely 

 covered, then begin to give air in the middle of the day, gradu- 

 ally giving more as the days get warmer, until by the end of 

 the month the plants are exposed all day and only covered up 

 at night. After the beginning of June protection can be dis- 

 pensed with altogether. 



