Cryptostemma 



( 256 ) 



Cucumber 



CRYPTOSTEMMA. 



These tender annuals (prd. Composite) succeed 

 best when grown from seeds sown in boxes over 

 gentle bottom heat ; thin and pot as may be neces- 

 sary, and place in the open border in any fertile 

 soil about the first week in June. 



Principal Species : 

 calendulaceum, 1', Jy., are yel. flowered, hypo- 



yel. (*ya. Arctotis ca- chondriacum and rim- 



lendulacea). There are cinatum. 



two vars. , both of which f orbesiauum, Jy. , yel. 



CRYPTOSTYLIS. 



These little East Indian plants (prd. Orchid- 

 acese) have tuberous roots, and can be grown in a 

 warm house. Zosterostylis is a title under which 

 some of the species were at one time known. 



Principal Species : 

 Arachnites, 1', grn.,yel., longifolia, 2", yel., grn., 



pur. red br. 



CUBA BAST. 



This material was more popular a few years 

 back than is the case at present. It is the inner 

 bark of Hibiscus elatus, and is remarkably strong 

 and coarse, and for that reason is in some in- 

 stances superior to raphia (raffia), which is so 

 extensively employed for general tying. 



CUCKOO SPIT. 



Everyone who has a garden knows the frothy 

 envelope containing a tiny, pale green, aphis-like 

 insect, which can hop smartly. This pest is found 

 on Carnations, Hawthorn, and Roses, and its name 

 is Tettigonia spumaria. The perfect insect 

 emerges ill July. Sharp syringing or dipping in 

 tobacco water are remedies. 



CUCUBALUS. 



Hardy herbaceous plants (prd. Caryophylleae), 

 with opposite leaves and white flowers after the 

 manner of Silene. The only cultivated species is 

 a European plant, and is naturalised in the Isle 

 of Dogs. Propagated from seeds or by division. 

 Will grow in any kind of soil. 



Principal Species : 



baccifer, 2' to 3', My., Je., wh. 



CUCUMBER. 



Cucumis sativus, the Cucumber, is a half-hardy 

 trailing annual (prd. Cucurbitacese), the fruits of 

 which are prized for salad and pickling purposes. 

 There are numerous varieties suitable for growing 

 in heated houses, frames, and beds outdoors. 



Propagation. From seeds and cuttings, the 

 former being the best. For spring and early 

 summer fruiting, sow seeds singly in small pots in 

 January or February, and plunge the pots over a 

 gentle hotbed. When growth appears, place the 

 plants near the glass in a moist temperature 

 ranging from 65 to 75. For frame and outdoor 

 culture sow in March and April over gentle bottom 

 heat. Kidge Cucumbers may also be sown out- 

 doors, where they are intended to grow, in May. 

 Sow at the end of September to raise plants for 

 winter fruiting under glass. 



Soil. For seedlings and young plants, equal 

 parts of turfy loam and leaf mould, with a little 



Cucifera (see Hypluene). 

 Cuchno Flower (see Cardamine). 

 Cucltoo Pint (see Arum maculatiini). 

 Cucumber tree (see Magnolia and Averrhoa). 



sand. For permanent beds use three parts of loam 

 and one part of leaf mould or spent manure from 

 an old Mushroom bed. Add a little road scrap- 

 ings and old mortar rubble to keep the compost 

 open. 



Summer Culture in Houses. Low span-roofed 

 houses are the best for Cucumbers, with sufficient 

 hot-water pipes to provide top and bottom heat. 

 Slates, with a covering of leaves, should be placed 

 above the pipes under the bed, and then the com- 

 post in the form of a ridge. Put out strong plants 

 that have been grown in 5" pots, and train the 

 shoots on wires fastened about 1' from the glass. 

 Maintain a temperature of 60 to 70 by night, and 

 70 to 80 by day, with a moist atmosphere, and not 

 much ventilation. Avoid overcrowding by thinning 

 out superfluous shoots and leaves. The plants 

 must never suffer from want of water, and when in 

 full bearing should have liquid manure and sprink- 

 lingsof a good artificial fertiliser. Watch closely for 

 fleshy roots appearing through the soil, and when 

 seen top-dress with loamy soil and decayed 

 manure. Damping the walls and paths several 

 times a day with water and liquid manure is 

 beneficial to the plants, and keeps red spider at 

 bay. Cut the fruits as soon as they are large 

 enough for use. 



Winter Culture in Houses. Except in cases 

 where a supply is required all the year round, 

 Cucumbers are not much grown for fruiting in the 

 winter, and this phase of culture is attended with 

 difficulties. A low, light house, in which abund- 

 ance of top and bottom heat can be obtained, is 

 necessary. The soil should be of a lighter nature 

 than that for summer-cropping plants, and healthy 

 specimens should be put out at the end of October. 

 Maintain a warm, moist temperature of from 65 

 to 75, but little or no syringing is required through 

 the winter. Avoid overcropping, and thin the 

 growths to admit all the light possible. 



Frame Culture. Cucumbers may be successfully 

 grown in the summer in frames heated by hot, 

 water or fermenting material. In the case of the 

 latter, a hotbed must be formed of stable litter 

 and decayed leaves. When the heat is declining 

 a little, place mounds of soil in the frame, and put 

 out one plant under each light. Keep the interior 

 of the frame moist by syringing with tepid water, 

 avoid overcrowding by thinning the shoots, and 

 feed with liquid manure. In warm weather venti- 

 late early in the day, shade from hot sunshine, and 

 syringe and shut" up the frame early in the 

 afternoon. 



Outdoor Culture. The ridge varieties are the 

 best for outdoors. Select an open, sunny position 

 where the soil is deep and rich. Plants raised 

 under glass should be put out at the end of May, 

 about 3' apart. When seeds are sown outdoor?, 

 thin the young plants to the above distance. Give 

 liquid manure when in full bearing, and cut the 

 fruits before they become large and seedy. 



Enemies. Aphis. For remedies, see APHIDES. 

 Mildew. Insufficient heat and draughts of cold 

 air are responsible for the presence of this fungus. 

 Remove badly affected leaves, and dust with 

 flowers of sulphur. 



Bed Spider. This is the bane of Cucumbers, 

 and is often traced to faulty cultivation. The 

 company of other spider-infested plants, want of 

 water, and a too dry atmosphere are prime causes. 

 Remove badly infes'ted leaves, syringe with a good 



