Cucumis 



(257 ) 



Cucumis 



insecticide, and maintain favourable conditions for 

 the making- of fresh growth. 



Hunt l>ir,aie. The root knob eelworm (Hetero- 

 dera radicicola) is the most destructive of Cu- 

 cumber foes. Its presence is indicated by the 

 plants flagging in bright weather, and the fruits 

 refusing to swell. Examination of the roots re- 

 veals a number of distorted knobs, which contain 

 the minute cehvorms. The trouble may be intro- 

 duced by infected water, soil, or manure, and care 

 should bu taken that soil from an infected bed is 

 not used again for the same crop. There is no 

 remedy, and affected plants should be removed 

 and burnt, the soil afterwards taken out, and 



female flowers, and large, succulent fruits. Th& 

 Cucumber and Melon are well-known examples. 

 The majority require to be grown in a moist stove, 

 but a few can be grown out of doors in summer. 

 GOURDS.) 



Propagation. Seeds should be sown in spring in 

 moist, sandy soil, in heat, and little or no water 

 must be given until germination takes place, which 

 is usually within five days of the time of sowing. 



Soil. Good, fibrous loam, with an addition of 

 loaf mould, rotten manure, and some coarse sand, 

 suits. 



Other Cultural Points. When grown for orna- 



A HOUSE OF TELEGIIAI'HV CLCUMHEK WELL UIIOWN. 



the bottom and sides of the bed dressed with 

 hot lime. 



Thri/ix. These pests sometimes attack the 

 foliage, and should be immediately checked by 

 fumigating with a good vaporising insecticide. 



A Selection of Varieties : 

 < 'anliff Castle. Rochford's Market. 



Lockie's Perfection. Sensation. 



Matchless Telegraph Improved. 



Open Air or Ridge Varieties : 



Gherkin (for pickling). Long Prickly. 



King of the Ridge. Stockwood Long Ridge. 



CUCUMIS. 



Description. Herbaceous climbing or prostrate 

 plants (fird. Cucurbitace;e). widely distributed in 

 the Tropics. They are usually annuals, with suc- 

 culent stems, climbing by means of tendrils, have 

 large, deeply lobed rough leaves, yellow male and 



17 



ment, the young plants should, when 6" high, be 

 planted on a little mound of well-drained soil' 

 against wires running up the rafters or pillars of a 

 stove or warm intermediate house. Two or throe 

 shoots should be allowed to grow unchecked until 

 they have attained the desired height. The points 

 must then be pinched out and side shoots en- 

 c.ouraged. From the side shoots flower- will 

 appear. These it is often advisable to polleni.se by 

 hand. When a sufficient number of fruits are set. 

 superfluous shoots must be cut out. (For special 

 culture of Cucumber and Melon, see under those 

 heads.) 



Principal Species : 

 Melo, t' to (V, sum., yel. 



" "'"I- 



i (Queen Anne's 



(M Melon). 



Dud.-iim ( 



Melon). 



sativus, ii' to s', sum., yel. 

 i 'iiciunber). 



sikkimensis, 0' to s', 

 sum., yel., fruit br., 

 netted wh. (Himalayan 

 Cucumber). 



