FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



CHAPTER XXXV 



CUCUMBERS 



ACCORDING to ancient writers, the Cucumber has been cuiti\ated 

 since the earliest ages and has always been esteemed as a table luxury. 

 In recent years forcing through the Winter months has advanced by 

 leaps and bounds, more so commercially than for private purposes, though most 

 private establishments now include Cucumbers among their forcing vegetables. 

 In former years the demand for a regular supply at all times was not so keen, 

 but now they are a necessity through the shortest days, as well as in the late Fall 

 and early Spring. While they require more strict attention in the way of treat- 

 ment in the Winter months, and are more expensive to produce, yet there is 

 then the most brisk demand, and the best prices can be obtained. 



Whatever the season of the year, the crop must be kept growing along witii- 

 out a check. If once stunted it is difficult to get the Cucumber into good condi- 

 tion again. The White Spine types are those chiefly grown for the market, 

 while many of the private places prefer the English or Telegraph strain. Both 

 of these are worthy of consideration, and are excellent for forcing purposes. 

 The Telegraph would probably be grown still more extensively were it not that 

 they require a somewlf&t higher temperature for the best results; if produced 

 under favorable conditions the weight of fruit that they yield is astonishing, but 

 as they are not grown commercially to any extent, their good qualities are not 

 so widely known as those of the White Spine varieties. Decided improvement 

 has been made in recent years with both types as to size, shape, high quality 

 and, above all, productiveness, so that now we have a splendid selection for grow- 

 ing under glass. 



Good, thoroughly ripened, carefully selected seed is the first requisite for 

 success. The seedsmen in this country are doing good work in sending out im- 

 proved, substantial seed material, with strong germinating power, that will 

 insure an abundant crop, under suitable treatment. 



Cucumbers are grown both in solid beds and in raised benches; the latter 

 are preferable for Winter forcing. For the short days it is not necessary to have 

 a large body of soil. Equal success may be obtained in different kinds of houses, 

 ranging from the mammoth commercial establishment to a house fourteen or 

 fifteen feet wide. The demands to be supplied will govern the size of the house. 

 For private use a span house about fourteen feet wide will be sufficient. The 

 vines may be trained on vertical wires, though a trellis about a foot from the glass 



