308 VEGETABLE FORCING 
seeds are easily sep- 
arated from the pulp 
by washing. The 
plump, heavy seeds 
will settle to the bot- 
tom of the vessel and 
the pulp and light seeds 
will float, and may be 
poured off. The seed 
should be thoroughly 
dried after washing and 
then stored in a dry, 
warm room. ‘The at- 
mospheric conditions 
of any room in a resi- 
dence provided with 
heat will be satisfac- 
tory for the storage of 
cucumber seed. 
It has been conclus- 
ively demonstrated that 
cucumber seed should 
be at least two years old before it is planted, and some 
growers believe that even older seed is preferable. The 
seeds are usually viable even at seven years, and if 
properly preserved they will retain their vitality several 
years longer. New seeds produce the strongest stem 
and leaves, but old seeds yield the largest crops. 
Starting the plants.—The time required from seed sow- 
ing until marketable fruit develops will depend on varie- 
ties planted, season of year and temperature of the house. 
Ordinarily, specimens of good size are obtained in from 
70 to 90 days. The development of the crop is slowest 
during the dull, short days of the fall and winter, and 
most rapid during the long, bright sunny days of the 
spring and early summer. Seed sown the first of Sep- 
tember should produce some specimens of marketable 
Fig. 105.—Davis Perfect from the originator. 
