264 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



more than 8 inches at first when the cucumbers are 

 planted, nor need the bed be filled the whole width — 

 the other two inches to be made up with top-dressing, 

 and the whole of the bed to be filled in after the plants 

 come into bearing. The soil should consist ofhght, 

 turfy loam two parts, and one part of leaf-mould or well- 

 decayed manure, with a sixth of the whole of coarse 

 sand, pounded charcoal, or charred soil. A light open 

 soil is best for winter cucumbers : soil that is likely 

 to become solid and inert is at all times an evil in cu- 

 cumber-culture, and more especially so in winter. 



To have plants well established and in a strong bear- 

 ing condition before winter, they should be planted out 

 in the fruiting-house by the end of August, or very early 

 in September. Some cultivators prefer raising plants 

 intended for winter bearing by cuttings, which are 

 rather more disposed to fruitfulness in their earlier stages 

 of growth, on account of their less vigorous growth than 

 seedlings. They are easily struck in a frame or pit 

 with a little bottom-heat The best way is to strike 

 them singly in 4-incli pots, with a little sandy soil 

 round the base and neck of each cutting. Good plants 

 can thus be prepared in three weeks. When raised 

 from seed, it requires to be sown in the beginning of 

 August. I am aware that many do not sow so early, 

 but later sowing is a mistake, as the plants should be 

 thoroughly established and beginning to bear by the 

 middle of October, in order to have a good supply 

 through the winter. And by a proper selection of 

 varieties, there is no difficulty in getting seedlings to 

 bear well enough when sown as early as recommended, 

 and they geiierally yield finer individual cucumbers. 



