CUCUMBERS 23 



fruits per plant bear a very definite proportion to the number of 

 joints, and the importance of keeping these as short as possible 

 is apparent, and that is one reason why we prefer narrow houses 

 and a single row up either side whereby every plant receives its 

 full share of light. 



The prepared bed in which the plants are to grow must be of 

 an open character, and yet retain heat and moisture. Let the 

 drainage receive the first consideration, for where waterings 

 are copious nothing but really efficient drainage can keep the 

 soil alive. The chief details of the compost should be leaf mould, 

 manure and old turf, and these must not be sifted but used coarse. 



The plants are usually set on slight mounds, but the roots 

 soon run freely throughout the bed, and if they cannot there find 

 ample nourishment the fact is soon reflected in the growth of the 

 plant and in its reproductive capabilities. The reasons for 

 planting on slight mounds is to prevent rotting or cankering of 

 the stem at its point of contact with the soil, a contingency 

 not unlikely to happen when a soft stem like that of the cucumber 

 is in constant contact with soil charged with an excess of moisture. 

 The mound acts as a protector by throwing off water, passing 

 it down to the bed where the roots of the plants are ready to 

 receive it. Incidentally, by reason of being warmed through 

 more quickly than the bed, the mound gives a quicker " send 

 off " to the newly-planted cucumber. 



Rapid, unchecked growth is the secret of producing heavy 

 crops of first-quality cucumbers, and from the very beginning 

 this has to be kept in view ; and not growth merely, but strength. 

 The vine must not be allowed to run up several feet without 

 being stopped, for it soon becomes thin and weak and past 

 producing good lateral growths low down. If these latter have 

 not developed, the time to stop the leader is generally indicated 

 by the appearance of the rudimentary fruit, but in any case 

 a foot and a half should be the limit, many of our most successful 

 growers stopping at less than I foot, with very satisfactory 

 results. 



And while we are on this subject of " stopping " or " pinching " 

 it may be as well to deal more fully with it, because it is para- 

 mount and governs the system of cultivation which we advocate. 



