THE VEGETABLE-FRUITS 105 



of the house should then be raised to at least eighty degrees. 

 When this is accomplished, seeds may be sown, or plants 

 placed, upon the prepared mounds of soil. For a while a 

 temperature of sixty degrees at night should be maintained, 

 until growth has become well advanced, all the time syringeing 

 and ventilating the house freely ; and soon the artificial heat 

 may be dispensed with or reduced. No stopping is required 

 until the plants have reached the roof ; here they may be 

 trained to suit the convenience of the grower. The fruits must 

 be kept well thinned ; and the whole plant should receive 

 copious syringeings, with liquid manure applications to the 

 soil below. As growth proceeds, the soil should receive additions 

 of rich materials to form a larger rooting surface. 



Plenty of air, light, and moisture are the chief essentials to 

 Cucumber growing ; the leaves of the plant usually afford 

 sufficient shade from the rays of the sun, and, incidentally, to 

 a few flowering plants that may be placed here and there to 

 brighten the house. Initial heat may be dispensed with, if 

 desired, if well-grown, sturdy plants are used, the only object 

 being early produce. Such varieties as Rochford's, Telegraph, 

 and Lockie's Perfection, are used for indoor work. 



As WINTER CULTURE is a somewhat exacting process, and 

 the Cucumber is not generally a winter favourite, I shall say 

 but little concerning this phase ; but a high temperature, 

 existing in a good house, careful, watchful management, and 

 a scrupulous regulation of heat, air, and moisture are the most 

 necessary items of culture where winter produce is aimed at. 

 Seeds or cuttings may be used to provide the plants, which 

 are raised from September to November for successional 

 supply. 



OUTDOOR RIDGE CULTURE may be likened to Vegetable 

 Marrow treatment, with the exception that a bed of fermenting 

 materials is necessary, the plants are more delicate, and in cold 

 summers Ridge Cucumbers are often disappointing, and even 

 failures. Plants, raised in the usual manner and carefully 

 hardened off, are planted out on raised beds or mounds of 

 loamy soil in the first week of May, and afterwards afforded 

 protection by handlight, bell-glass, etc., until established. 

 When growth has well begun, pinch out the points of the shoots ; 

 no further interference with the plants will be required, beyond 

 training, after this. Subsequent culture may be generally 

 described as that given to Vegetable Marrows. Stockwood 

 Long, Barr's Excelsior, Bedfordshire Prize, Long and Short 



