PRACTICAL GARDENING 



six to eight seeds to the depth of one inch. 

 After the plants have developed two or three 

 leaves, thin out the vines leaving four thrifty 

 vines to each hill. 



Cultivate freely, and keep down the weeds. 

 Spread out the vines but be careful not to in- 

 jure them by twisting. 



Box shields (Fig. 23), are sometimes placed 

 over the hiUs to hasten growth and keep out the 

 striped beetle. Another method of hastening 

 growth is to plant the seed in a hollow hill, one 

 to two inches below the surface and place a 

 pane of glass on each hiU. (Fig. 22.) 



One of the best ways to realize an early crop 

 is to plant seed of the cucumber at intervals of 

 two feet each way throughout the hotbed about 

 four weeks before removing the other plants. 

 The small seedlings do not take up much room 

 and the warmth of the manure and heat under 

 the glass cause a rapid growth. After all 

 danger of frost has passed, the sash may be re- 

 moved and the vines trained to climb over the 

 sides of the hotbed. These cucimibers will be 



186 



