312 VEGETABLE FORCING 
previously indicated, berry baskets, or perhaps beds. 
(Fig. 109.) This work should be done with extreme care 
in order to avoid breaking the tender roots. If the flats 
or beds are watered a few hours before the seedlings are 
pricked out, there will be less breakage of the roots. 
Excessive amounts of water applied to the young 
plants will cause them to become weak and spindling if 
accompanied by high temperatures and, under such con- 
ditions, there will be very poor development of the roots. 
Excessive watering and low temperatures will check the 
growth and stunt the plants. They seldom recover or 
Fig. 109.—A cucumber nursery in the Boston district. 
produce satisfactory crops. On the other hand, insufh- 
cient watering must be guarded against, for this also 
prevents proper development. Good judgment must be 
exercised in this the most important operation in the 
growing of good plants. 
Young cucumber plants are easily injured by low 
temperatures. They demand a night temperature of at 
least 65 degrees, and 5 degrees higher is preferable. 
The day temperature, with ventilation, may range from 
75 to 90 degrees. A fairly moist atmosphere is favorable 
