CUCUMBERS AND TOMATOES 



31 



crops. They require pollination, and pollen is likely to be scarce 

 in dark winter weather. The artificial support and the careful 

 training required make their culture more laborious than that of 

 lettuce or radishes (Fig. 191). They are also susceptible to certain 

 diseases that may utterly ruin the crop. They are more satis- 



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Fig. 191. — Bench of hothouse tomatoes, showing method of training. Each 

 plant is pruned to a single stem, and tied with raffia to upright cord. 



factory as fall and spring than as midwinter crops. As already 

 mentioned, a favorite practice among some growers is to plant a 

 spring crop of cucumbers or tomatoes in the houses following the 

 last crop of lettuce. Such a crop may begin ripening only a month 

 or six weeks in advance of the outdoor product, but usually meets 

 with ready sale at good prices in the local markets. 



