CHAPTER n 



CUCUMBER {Cucumis sativus)' 



Cultural Considerations. Cucumbers are exten- 

 sively forced for the winter or early spring markets, 

 (fig. 20.) The houses generally used are either 

 two-thirds or even-span and are provided with 

 ground beds instead of benches. 



Unlike lettuce, cucumbers are not so sensitive to 

 variations in soil texture. A great variety of soils 

 may be used if, however, they are well provided with 

 organic matter. Cucumbers require a night tempera- 

 ture of about 65 degrees F. and about 85 degrees 

 during bright weather. In cloudy weather, how- 

 ever, the day temperature should be about lo to 15 

 degrees lower, otherwise the plants will become 

 weak, spindly and susceptible to disease. Extreme 

 care is required in watering the plants. Overwater- 

 ing during cool, wet weather will greatly injure them 

 by encouraging numerous diseases. 



Of the varieties which lend themselves to forcing 

 are the Telegraph (English), and all strains of Dark 

 Spine and White Spine among the American varie- 

 ties. 



Diseases of the Cucumber 



Cucumbers under glass are subject to a large num- 

 ber of diseases. 



133 



