CUCUMBERS 67 



Much depends upon the grower as to the quantity of 

 soil to use at the start. When ample top dressing 

 can be given, as in large market gardens, larger 

 quantities of soil are given at the start, with only top 

 dressing or rich manure afterwards, but the market 

 grower soon exhausts the plants, cutting a larger 

 quantity of fruit at one time. A bushel of soil is 

 ample to begin with, and as soon as the surface roots 

 are running freely, add more, this being given every 

 fortnight or three weeks, and as the plants come into 

 bearing, such aids as bone-meal, or an approved 

 quick-acting fertiliser are mixed with the soil. When 

 planting, allow at least a yard between the plants ; 

 overcrowding is not an advantage. When liberal 

 treatment is given, and the seeds are sown, say, 

 early in January, fruits should be cut early in March. 

 There is no difficulty whatever in having fruits in six 

 weeks from the time of sowing, that is, if sown a 

 little later on. Plants from seed sown in March, and 

 grown in a liberal temperature, should fruit in six 

 weeks, but there must be no check. Provide a rich 

 root run and warm moist atmosphere. 



When started allow the growth to reach the roof 

 without any stopping back, unless there is an abund- 

 ance of side or lateral growths, when the point of the 

 leader may be taken out, and the shoots trained right 

 and left. It is needful to fertilise the flowers early 

 in the year, and when this is done to stop the over- 

 head dampings for a time. 



The house must never get dry, except when 



