March  2(3,  1896. 
JOURNAL  OR  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER 
28l 
CUCUMBER  GROWING. 
The  cultivation  of  Cucumbers  in  a  properly  heated  structure  is  not 
attended  with  very  great  difficulties  provided  the  essential  treatment  of 
the  plants,  together  with  proper  management  of  the  heating  arrange¬ 
ments  and  regulation  of  the  atmospheric  conditions,  are  regularly  carried 
out.  Before  commencing  their  culture  the  structure  should  be  thoroughly 
clean  and  sweet,  the  woodwork  being  well  washed,  the  glass  clean,  and 
the  walls  limewashed. 
Bottom  heat  is  essential  for  raising  the  plants.  In  house  culture  this 
any  case  they  will  lengthen,  so  support  in  time  with  a  small  stick  placed 
to  each.  As  the  roots  increase  in  the  pots  fill  the  remaining  space  with 
warmed  light  soil.  Afford  tepid  soft  water  as  required,  and  the  plants 
will  advance  ranidly  in  the  genial,  moist  bottom  heat.  The  top  heat 
must  be  about  70°,  not  falling  below  65°  at  night.  Proper  atmospheric 
conditions  may  be  secured  by  duly  syringing  the  available  spaces  in 
the  house,  the  floors  at  least  being  damped  twice  daily. 
While  the  plants  are  being  prepared,  the  beds  for  receiving  them 
must  be  attended  to.  The  base  of  the  beds  may  consist  of  wood,  stone, 
or  slates  resting  on  bearers  not  in  contact  with  the  pipes.  Rubble  some- 
Fig.  50.— SAXIFRAGA  STRACHEYI. 
iB  general lv  secured  by  pipes  running  under  a  bed  in  which  some  moist 
material  ca  i  be  placed,  suoh  as  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse,  and  a  favourable 
growing  temperature  secured.  This  may  range  about  75°.  In  raising 
the  plants  from  seed  procure  3-inch  pots,  clean  and  well  drained  with  a 
few  crocks,  covered  with  moss  or  turfy  fibre.  Half  fill  with  a  mixture 
of  loam,  sand,  and  leaf  soil,  the  latter  sweet  and  free  from  worms. 
Previously  warm  the  material  before  placing  in  the  pots,  Beeing  also  that 
it  is  moist.  Place  one  seed  in  the  centre  of  each  pot,  and  plunge  in  the 
warm  bed,  covering  them  with  panes  of  glass.  It  is  an  advantage  if  the 
bed  i8  near  the  light,  so  that  the  young  stems  do  not  become  drawn.  In 
times  forms  a  base  for  soil,  the  hot-water  pipes  running  through  it  and 
J  diffusing  heat  among  the  rubble  which  rises  through  the  soil.  The  soil 
j  ought  to  consist  of  rich  turfy  loam  broken  up  small,  apportioning  three 
parts  to  ODe  part  of  clean  sweet  leaf  soil,  and  one  part  of  decayed  manure. 
All  the  soil  required  may  be  prepared  and  mixed  at  one  time,  but  it  is 
not  requisite  that  the  whole  of  it  should  be  placed  in  the  bed  at  once. 
Hillocks  of  soil  may  be  formed  2£  to  3  feet  apart,  having  a  base  of 
2  teet. 
When  this  material  is  thoroughly  warmed  through  the  plants  can  be 
placed  in  position,  The  soil  may  be  made  moderately  firm,  and  the 
