Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1882-03-09
STARTING CUCUMBERs, MELONS, ETC.
UNDER GLASS.


with early vegetables simply because the
truck. growers and gardeners do not under
stand the secret of forcing such 1t is very
simple indeed. All that is necessary is to
make an ordinary hot-bed, aud for cucum-
bers, melons. squashes and that class Of
vegetables" merely sow the seed in drills
in this latitude (43) about the first OF April
if further south, say about two weeks earlier
to each latitude. Be sure that the dirt is
warm before sowing, and that thereis plenty
OF coarse material banked up against the
outside of the bed. In cold nights cover its
sash with mating of some kind, or straw
or hay. The plants will be up and form
strong shoots within week or ten days,
when they can be transplanted into another
bed as follows: Cut sod from four to six
inches square and place them in the bed in
verted ;ror take cheap gift" quart or pint
boxes and set in close together, filled two
thirds full with good rich soil On warm
day. after saturating the plants in the seed
bed, lit them carefully and transplant four
Or five in each sod or box, setting them up
to their seed leaf. While they are growing
raise the sash trife at the back side on
pleasant days to admit a little fresh air. AS
soon as they show their third rough leaf nip
the point off the vince to cause it to branch
out. Keep the temperature at about 60 de
grees. Keep the plants and soil from get
ting too dry by a daily sprinkling with tepid
soft water, and if the roots protrude above
ground, scatter in little more dirt around
them. Be careful to water when the weather
is mild, as it will not answer to allow the
cold air to strike the young tender plants.
After the vines commence to run they can
be taken from the beds and set where they
are to remain through the season. This is
done by digging a hole a foot deep, and
dumping in Il wheelbarrow of fresh manure.
Peck it down hard with the feet and cover
with about four to SIX inches of dirt, and in
this set the sods or bax plants-after break
ing Oft the box. Remember to saturate the
sods well with water before they are trans
planted. Over them placea box two feet
square, covered with single sash made to
tit, or We have used muslin oiled, being
careful to uncover on warm pleasant days.
We know of party who realizes every
year from few hundred hills OF cucumbers
one dollar to the hill, and this, too, with
only small village markets. The seed can
be sown directly in the inverted sods or
boxes, but it is better to sow in the seed
bed and transplant as they become more
hardened and the roots grow more tibrous.
Tomatoes should be sewn about the same
in the hot-beds in drills three inches, apart,
covering bat slightly with rich mould. AS
soon as they get two to three inches high
transplant into another hot-bed three inches
apart each way, remembering to saturate
the seed bed well with tepil water SO that
the soil will cling to the roots. Keep well
watered and give plenty of air On mild days.
AS soon as settled weather comes trans
plant to the open ground. Saturate well
with water and take up with each plant a
quantity of dirt; although when we have
set large quantities we have paid but little
attention to this, simply setting them in
damp weather. Ii there is danger Of frost,
cover the plants with newspapers, or have
boxes made foot deep with a top, and set
right over each plant 1t is one of the best
paying crops grown, especially if got early,
when they are worth $3 to 81 per bushe.
Those who have not eonveniences for
growing in het-beds, or who only want a
few plants for their private garden, can
start The seed in pans or boxes set in their
kitchen windows. The same directions for
tomatoes answer for early cabbage and let
tuce, emily that the latter do not require SO
close attention and are not so liable to be
hurt by cold snaps, and too, they require
covering in the spring after being trans
planted outdoors to protect them against
frost. Another crop that pays to start in
the het-bed is
ONIONS. .s.-...s
Simply sow the seed early in March in
this latitude, thickly. in drills three inches
apart Keep we'll watered, and when the
ground is settled and the plants get say two
or three inches high, transplant outdoors in
rows, three inches apart, and the rows one
loot apart. The great advantages IN thus
starting them are as follows: