VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 333 



bring up the plants beyond the reach of the depredators. 

 If they do not, put over the hills boxes covered with 

 milliner. Hoe frequently, until the plants cover the 

 ground. The Early Cluster should have the hills about 

 four feet apart. 



After the first planting succession crops for pickles are 

 put in up to July near New York city, and in Georgia 

 until August. At the South the melon worm makes its 

 appearance in July, and unless the cucumbers are gath- 

 ered while small, they will be injured by this insect. 



Cucumbers can be very much forwarded by planting 

 them in boxes covered over with glass. Two seven-by- 

 nine panes are large enough to cover a hill, and such hills 

 will not be troubled by the bugs, while the seed can be 

 put in four or five weeks earlier than otherwise. The seed 

 can also be planted in pots under a frame, or in a green- 

 house, to be turned out, when the weather gets favorable, 

 into the open air, and they will scarcely show they have 

 been moved. Or they can be raised wholly without re- 

 moval, in hot-beds made as directed in a former chapter. 

 They do best when started in pots placed in a small hot- 

 bed, and transplanted when the leaves are two or three 

 inches broad into new beds of a larger size. They must 

 have plenty of air, and be placed near the glass, or they 

 will be drawn up. If they begin to grow long-legged, give 

 them more air. The temperature of the seed-bed should 

 range between 65° and 85°. Always water the plants 

 with tepid water, about noon, unless in mild days, when 

 it may be done in the morning. 



Liquid manure, especially guano water, is very bene- 

 ficial. In planting in the bed for fruiting, do not break 

 the ball of earth; take them out of the pots carefully at 

 night, water gently, keep the sash down the next day, and 

 shade at noonday, to keep them from withering. It is 

 necessary the beds should be shaded with a mat during 



