CUCUMBERS 251 



noted, is usually marketed in bushel or half -barrel baskets. English 

 cucumbers when grown for shipment are carefully wrapped like 

 oranges or tomatoes, and packed in boxes similar to those first 

 described, but of dimensions suited to the size of the fruits. 



Enemies and diseases. To get the best results from greenhouse 

 cultivation untiring attention must be given to the maintenance of 

 proper moisture and temperature conditions. A keen watch must 

 be kept for the appearance of aphis or mildew, and, upon the oc- 

 currence of either, prompt and effective methods must be employed 

 for stamping it out. 



The cucumber is a tender plant and will not endure some of the 

 severe methods of combating aphis and mildew employed on other 

 plants. The careful spraying of cucumbers with ammoniacal car- 

 bonate of copper solution, which is made by dissolving 5 ounces 

 of carbonate of copper in 3 pints of strong ammonia (26 degrees), 

 is recommended. This stock solution should be diluted to 45 gal- 

 lons when used ; that is, I pint of the solution will make 1 5 gallons 

 of the spraying mixture. This should be applied with a strong force 

 pump through either a Vermorell or a similar nozzle, and ought to 

 keep the house free from mildew. 



An additional safeguard is to keep the heating pipes at all times 

 covered with sulphur. When it is not practicable to moisten the 

 foliage of the plants with a spray, the distillation of sulphur in 

 accordance with the following plan is very effective. This is 

 accompanied by some danger, however, and the novice should 

 carefully observe and carry out every detail of the directions 

 given below. 



The apparatus for distilling sulphur for the treatment of mildew 

 in a greenhouse consists of a small, single-burner oil stove. One 

 with a top 6 inches square will serve the purpose. Secure two iron 

 or tin pans similar to those used for the baking of layer cake, and, 

 if possible, have one pan 2 inches larger in diameter than the 

 other. In the larger pan place a layer of sand, as free from organic 

 matter as possible, about \ inch deep. Upon this set the second 

 pan, which contains flowers of sulphur in sufficient quantity to fill 

 the -pan about half full of sulphur when it is molten. Light the 

 lamp, heating the sand to a sufficient degree to melt and maintain 

 the sulphur in a molten condition, but exercise the greatest care 



