THE AMATEUR’S KITCHEN GARDEN. 
175 ' 
cucumbers grown in winter in small lean-to houses are often 
bitter through an insufficiency of light. Secondly, sufficient 
heating power must be at command, to prevent the plants 
suffering from a low temperature in severe weather. Whether 
grown upon a hot-water tank or upon rubble, the heating 
medium must be sufficient to maintain a bottom-heat of 80°, 
for plants in a fruiting state will not continue so long with a 
less warmth at their roots. Thirdly, to have them through 
November, December, and the first two months of the new 
year, the plants ought to be raised either from seed or cuttings ' 
in the month of August previous, and planted out in the beds 
not later than the first week in September. Fourthly, the 
main object should be to encourage a vigorous growth during; 
the earlier stages, and in doing this give plenty of air both 
night and day, to enable the new growth to be both stout and 
firm. Towards the end of September air must be admitted 
more cautiously, as the nights are sometimes cold and damp, 
and the fires must be started about the same time, to keep 
the temperature to its proper height, and also to expel any 
excess of moisture. Also bear in mind that a close stagnant 
atmosphere at this season of the year is a frequent cause of 
mildew, which must be warded off by timely attention, or the 
plants will soon be destroyed. Fifthly, you must not stop the' 
young growth severely after it has reached the trellis. One 
or two pinchings of the strongest leaders, about the middle of 
October will suffice. After that time they will not make 
more growth than is needful for the production of fresh fruit. 
As regards the temperature of the house up to that time, 
much will depend upon the state of the weather. If a nice 
growing temperature of 70° can be obtained during the day, 
and by early closing 60° during the night, the plants will be 
better without the aid of fire-heat. A high temperature in 
the house up to this time only creates a ’weak spindly growth, 
which, when winter comes with its long nights and dull days, 
is next to useless for the production of fruit. Care, too, 
must be taken not to over-crop through the first part of the 
season, if a continuous supply of fruit is required. The cul- 
tivator must aim at securing vigorous plants by the end of 
November without the use of artificial heat, and then they 
will be in good condition to go through the winter satisfac- 
torily. Every leaf made after the middle of November must be 
preserved with the greatest care, for after that time no more 
