V. CUCUMBER. 



To give directions respecting the quantity of air, one can 

 only say, that it must be in proportion to the heat of the 

 bed and the state of the weather ; but it may be observed 

 as an invariable rule, that strong heat, and a good quan- 

 tity of air are the sure means of having early cucumbers. 

 When the air is kept excluded or supplied in niggardly 

 quantities, because the heat is not powerful enough to 

 counteract its chilling effects, the plants will linger on 

 alive, to be sure, but their colour will be approaching to 

 a yellow, their leaves small, their shoots slender, their 

 blossoms small and feeble, the fruit, if they show any, will 

 not swell ; and, if they bear after all, it will not be before 

 pretty nearly the month of May, instead of a decent 

 bearing in the month of March. A good strong bottom 

 heat, with a great deal of light, and with a liberal quan- 

 tity of air, are the great means of having cucumbers. 

 The next thing to be noticed is, the after- cultivation of 

 the plants, and, first, with respect to the shoots or runners 

 that come out of them. There will come two shoots out 

 of each plant, and these will soon begin to grow in a 

 horizontal position, and, indeed, go along the ground, 

 which it is their nature to do j but these two shoots 

 would not be sufficient ; for they would soon get to the 

 outside of the bed, leaving the middle of the bed not 

 half covered with vines j therefore, when these runners 

 have got three joints, and are beginning to make a 

 fourth, pinch off ihe top of each runner. New side- 

 shoots or runners will then come oat from the three joints. 

 When these have got four joints, which will be very 

 quickly, pinch off the fifth as soon as it appears. Each 

 plant will now have a dozen or two of runners, and thcit 

 is enough for one light. After this, you may let the 



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