CUCUMBERS 69 



red spider ; the weather should be taken into account, 

 and, if possible, in the case of early plants, say, those 

 in growth from January to May, always cover the 

 glass at night, as this saves hard stoking, and the 

 atmosphere is kept moist and sweet. 



In gardens where more ventilation is allowed and 

 less shade, the steaming process is not followed, but 

 the ventilators should be opened very sparingly until 

 the plants are strong, and then avoid cold draughts ; 

 shade as early as required. Always close the house 

 before the sun leaves it, no matter if the thermometer 

 runs up to 90 or 100. If ample moisture is given 

 in all parts of the house, so much the better. 



The Training. Plants need careful training. 

 Gradually cut out the old fruiting wood, and train in 

 new growths. This is important, and should be done 

 weekly, removing old leafage not required, and laying 

 in new wood, stopping shoots when necessary and re- 

 moving badly shaped fruits, or those too thickly placed, 

 to prevent that greatest of all evils, over-cropping. 



Frame Plants. These are not planted so early, but 

 if the seed is sown in March or April the plants are a 

 success. Much depends upon the frame, whether it 

 is heated by hot-water pipes or only by manure. If 

 by the latter, an April sowing will be sufficiently early. 

 It is unnecessary to describe the way the plants should 

 be raised, as the routine is the same as for house plants, 

 except that in gardens where there are only frames 

 Cucumbers are raised after the manure is warm. With 

 pipes there is, of course, less trouble, and much the 



