FORCING OF VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS. i i 



SO that the vines can be trained on trellises about fifteen inches 

 from the glass. "We usually make our first sowing some time in 

 August in small pots, one seed in a pot, then before they get pot- 

 bound, shift into four or five-inch pots. From those plant on raised 

 benches three to three and one-half feet apart, using, say three 

 shovelfuls of soil for each hill. As the roots work through, keep 

 adding fresh soil with a little Thomson's manure until the bench is 

 full; bone mixed through would be of benefit. A bench five inches 

 deep and two feet in width is sufficient to mature a heavy crop of 

 fruit. During the short days, heat, moisture, and careful airing 

 are the important items to contend with. While cucumbers are 

 rapid, vigorous growers, with good treatment, on the other hand 

 any neglect is easily detected by the stunted appearance of their 

 growth. In fact a severe check is disastrous. Liquid manure may 

 be applied when the vines are in heavy crop; that from the cow 

 barn is the best. However, anyone should be very careful in re- 

 gards feeding during the short days, otherwise one is apt to damage 

 his vines rather than benefit them. As I have stated, it depends to 

 a certain extent on conditions. A temperature of 65° at night, 

 75° by day is necessary for the Telegraph t^i^es, or 80° with sun heat ; 

 and above all things be careful with airing, especially in cold weather. 

 The White Spine t^i^es may be grown successfully in a trifle lower 

 temperature. There is an advantage in one way with growing the 

 English cucumbers in winter. They need no fertilizing, not unless 

 it is necessary to procure some seed. 



Beans. 



While beans are not grown commercially under glass, still they 

 are very acceptable for the private table, and far superior to any 

 that can be procured in the open market during the winter months; 

 therefore, for private greenhouses beans are to be highly recom- 

 mended as a forced vegetable. When grown successfully it is 

 surprising the amount that can be gathered from them. There 

 are two methods of growing this crop, in pots or planted on raised 

 benches. If grown in pots half fill six or seven-inch pots with 

 fairly rich, porous soil, then ])lant about six beans in a pot. As 

 the beans grow keep adding soil by degrees until filled. It takes 



