THE CUCUMBER, 265 



PLANTING, TEMPERATURE, ETC. 



The plants should not be planted closer than one 

 every 2 feet, as crowding in the dull months of winter 

 is very injurious ; and throughout September and Octo- 

 ber they are all the more sturdy and hardy when grown 

 with a liberal amount of air. A thin flimsy foliage 

 grown in a too close moist atmosphere too often becomes 

 a prey to thrips and red-spider, two enemies which 

 should be kept at arm's-length, and to which end the 

 house should be thoroughly washed and fumigated 

 before planting the plants, and no old melon or cu- 

 cumber soil where these pests have had a footing should 

 be used. When they begin to bear avoid heavy crop- 

 ping, and when November arrives be more sparing with 

 atmospheric moisture and waterings, and avoid high 

 night temperatures, which should not range higher than 

 from 68° to 70°. The consequences of a high night tem- 

 perature, when the days are short and dull, are weakly 

 and iinfruitful growths. A covering over the glass in 

 cold weather is much to be commended ; it saves firing, 

 and is in all respects preferable to over-heated pipes. 

 Frigidomo is an excellent material for covering, and 

 can be fixed to roll up and down like a shade. It is 

 most important all winter to give a little air every day 

 when at-all practicable, and also to prevent the leaves 

 from becoming crowded, and to stop the lateral growths 

 at every joint. 



Training, Stopping, &c. — Plants intended for winter 

 fruiting should not have the leading shoot stopped till 

 it gets half-way to the top of the house, and after that, 

 not again till it reaches near the top. The lateral 

 growths show fruit freely when stopped regularly. 



