May 4 : , 1882. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
357 
4th 
Tn 
F 
Royal Society at 4.30 P.M. Liunean Society at 8 r.M. 
6th 
s 
7th 
Sun 
4th Sunday after Easter. 
8th 
M 
9th 
TU 
Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit and Floral Committees at 
10th 
W 
Floral Fete at Bath. [11 A.M. Promenade Show. 
CUCUMBER-GROWING FOR MARKET. 
may be safely asserted that the Cucumber 
growers iu the neighbourhood of Liverpool 
equal, if they do not surpass, those of any 
other locality. Never before have I seen so 
many Cucumber houses as at Prescot. How 
long Cucumber-growing has been practised 
there I cannot ascertain, but, judging by the ap¬ 
pearance of some of the houses, I should think 
for some years. One fact is evident, the trade has in¬ 
creased wonderfully during the past few years. Many 
fresh growers have started, and the produce is now sent all 
over the kingdom. 
It is especially noteworthy that this Cucumber industry is 
not conducted by gardeners, but principally by mechanics. The 
chief trade of Prescot is watch-making, and those engaged in 
this, and carpenters, are the growers of Cucumbers. Some of 
these are very extensive growers ; for instance, Mr. Whittaker, 
who is said to produce three tons weekly during the season. 
This appears a large quantity, but I do not think anyone would 
long doubt its accuracy if they once inspected his large house 
full of plants bearing fruit, and the many other houses devoted 
to their culture. 
The houses all appear to be constructed on similar principles, 
and are span-roofed. Where several are built together the 
ridge-and-furrow system of roofing is adopted. Many of the 
houses are rudely constructed, but answer their purpose quite 
as well as more costly structures. These with whom I have 
had opportunities of conversing on this subject contend that it 
would not pay to erect such houses as those generally found in 
private gardens. They would answer the purpose no better 
and last no longer—the hot and moist system of culture prac¬ 
tised soon destroys the woodwork—but the difference in cost 
would be considerable. Many of the growers purchase the 
timber ready sawn, and construct their houses during the winter 
season, as well as fitting their pipes—in fact, do all that is 
necessary, with the exception, perhaps, of setting the boiler. 
An improved form of the old saddle boiler appears to be gene, 
rally used. The houses have no front sashes, and there is no 
provision made for ventilating. The glass for glazing the 
roof is obtained ready cut, the edges of the squares are pushed 
up closely together, and more air is excluded than is the case 
with the ordinary lap system. The internal arrangements 
are simple. In many instances the ground is the floor, and on 
each side are narrow beds or borders about 2 feet wide, in 
which the Cucumbers are planted. One or more hot-water 
pipes are used in these beds for supplying bottom heat. The 
trellises upon which the Cucumbers are trained at one time 
were formed with thin strips of wood, which were supported 
by stout wire hooks from the roof. This system is being dis¬ 
carded, and stiff wires employed in the place of the wood. 
Those houses built on the ridge-and-furrow principle have the 
furrow supported inside either on arches or brick pillars, which 
are employed instead of building a wall the whole length, un¬ 
doubtedly for the sake of economy. The pillars are the only 
means of separating one house from the other. 
Planting is done during the months of November and Feb¬ 
ruary, but by far the greater quantity during the latter month. 
Where extensively grown the young plants are raised in a 
separate house kept during the early season for the purpose. 
Several growers keep the young plants plunged in tan. The 
tan affords a gentle bottom heat, which is of great importance 
for early plants. The most extensive growers raise plants by 
the hundred and thousand, and they are placed about 2 feet 
apart in the beds, narrow ridges of soil being thoroughly 
warmed previous to planting time. 
The soil generally employed appears to be good loam, in 
which the Cucumbers thrive remarkably well. Composts such 
as frequently recommended neither add to the lasting proper¬ 
ties of the plants nor to the weight of produce. I have long 
since abandoned all such and employ loam, which, if moderately 
good, is all that is desired. Top-dressings are frequently ap¬ 
plied during the season in order to keep the roots spreading 
near the surface. Each plant is secured to a small stake until 
they reach the wires. Stopping and thinning the shoots is but 
little practised, and the plants from the start are not stopped 
at least until they reach the top of the house. The side shoots 
are allowed to extend and are freely crossed, thus keeping the 
roof furnished with bearing growths and large healthy foliage. 
As before intimated, the houses are not built so that air can 
be admitted to the plants. The doors are kept close during 
the whole season, except when it is necessary to pass in and 
out of the house. The young plants may flag a little for a 
day or two when first placed out, but they soon recover and 
grow vigorously. They are freely and frequently syringed, 
and abundance of moisture is used in the house as well as at 
the roots of the plants. I have been in the houses when the 
temperature has been considerably over 100° and the air almost 
saturated. During the hottest portion of the day it is im¬ 
possible to remain in many minutes. Some may be inclined 
to ask whether the plants become scorched. They do not, for 
I have seen many houses with plants in full bearing and the 
roof entirely covered with foliage, but not a bud or scorched 
leaf could be found. These growers contend that if they once 
admitted air the plants would then become burned, and that 
opening the doors to pass in when required is ample to change 
the whole current of air inside the house. Further, they ad¬ 
vance in favour of this system that they are never troubled 
with red spider or any other insect or disease: One large cul¬ 
tivator told me he had grown Cucumbers under both systems— 
that is, with ventilation and without, to see under which they 
succeeded the best, and he decided in favour of the latter. 
When air is admitted they find it next to an impossibility to 
keep red spider in check. 
Cutting commences in about five or six weeks after planting, 
and the fruits are not thinned, but two and three are taken 
from most of the joints. The crop during the season is a heavy 
one, and the fruits as a rule are straight, and this no doubt is 
due to the rapidity with which they are grown. 
No. 97.—Yol. IY. TniBn Series. 
No. 1753.—Yol. LXYII., Old Series. 
