HOCKINGS* GARDEN MANUAL. 



35 



sheltered bed, and watered regularly and abundantly 

 until large enough to plant out in their permanent 

 positions ; they may then be increased to any extent 

 bv cuttings, under similar treatment. A stock of plants 

 should be kept in the nursery, until the beds have stood 

 the test of drought and flood. — See Garden Calendar 

 for June. 



CUCUMBER. 



The Stochicood. London Ridge, and CuthiV's Black 

 Spine have been found good sorts for general cultiva- 

 tion. 



Any good garden soil, rather moist and sheltered 

 from the west, will be found suitable. The ground 

 should be double dug, and well manured. In August 

 mark off the land into six feet squares. If the soil is 

 not very rich, make a hole at each crossing twenty- 

 four inches in diameter, mix with the soil two large 

 spadefuls of sheep or poultry dung, adding a little 

 ashes, bone dust, and salt, if convenient, and nil the 

 hole up level with the surface. In the centre of each 

 bed make a ring and sow live or six seeds half-an-inch 

 deep. When up. thin out to two plants in each bed. 

 As the lateral branches show fruit they should be 

 stopped, and the secondary lateral- should be pinched 

 back to the fruit in the same manner. The various 

 runners should be placed so as to cover the bed equally. 



Whenever the soil has a tendency to bind, stir it 

 up deeply : and if the weather is dry give the beds a 

 good soaking with diluted liquid manure at least 

 once a week In hot, dry weather plants should be 

 watered at night, and then not niggardly, but suffi- 

 cient to damp the bed thoroughly to the roots. Suc- 

 cessional sowings may be made in September, October, 

 and November. 



To produce straight cucumbers, provide some three- 

 sided boxes made of three-inch battens eighteen inches 



