336 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



tilized, it is not objectionable to use a small quantity of chicken or 

 hog manure in the (hill as a '^starter," but when this is done, the 

 manure should be thoroughly worked in the soil before the seed is 

 planted. In all cases care should be taken to see that the seed is not 

 brought into direct contact with the fresh manure. Nitrate of soda can 

 also be used profitably as a ''starter/' and when used should be applied 

 after the plant is up, care being taken to see that it does not come in 

 direct contact with the stem or leaves. The best method of applying 

 this is to open a shallow furrow, about three inches away from the 

 plants. Spread the nitrate of soda in this furrow and cover with loose 

 earth." 



Varieties. Boston Pickling, Chicago Pickling and Snow's Perfection 

 are the three varieties that are usually grown for pickles. They are 

 prolific yielders, producing their cucumbers in clusters. 



When cucumbers are grown to be sold direct to the consumer or to a 

 retail grocer, some strain of the White Spine is generally grown. This 

 is a prolific variety which 3'ields fine straight cucumbei's but which are 

 a little too large in diameter to be suitable for bottling. This is also a 

 good variety to grow when it is desired to produce early ''slicers." 

 Slicers are the large cucumbers suitable for slicing and are eaten fresh. 



Some of the Long Green strains will produce *'slicers" of better qual- 

 ity but not so earh' in the season as the White Spine. They are freer 

 from seeds and the fiesh is firmer and when w^ell grown tliey will com- 

 pare favorably with hot house cucumbers. Varieties suitable for hot 

 house culture are not adapted to field conditions. 



Planting Time. "'The best time for the planting of the seed is de- 

 termined to a large extent by the nature of the soil and the latitude in 

 which the cucund>er is to be grown. On light warm soils seed can be 

 planted earlier with safety than on the heavier soils. In all cases, how- 

 ever, the seed should not be planted until after the danger of frost is 

 past and the soil is sufficiently warm to produce a quick, healthy germi- 

 nation of the seed. In Michigan, it has been found safest to plant from 

 May 25th to June 10th, depending upon weather and soil conditions. If 

 planted too early, or in cold soil, there is not only danger that one will 

 get a slow, weak germination of the seed and a stunted weak j^lant 

 but the plants are more frequently troubled by cut worms, wire worms 

 and the striped cucumber beetles in May than they are in the warmer 

 period in June." 



Planting Seed, "Make a shallow furrow in the soil about three 

 inches deep, allowing a space of seven feet between the rows. These 

 furrows may be made by using a small shovel plow or any other con-, 

 venient implement, such as a corn marker. Drop the seed immediately 

 after the furrow is opened, planting one about every four inches; cover 

 at once with mellow loose earth to a depth of about one inch. A hoe 

 or rake may be used to push the earth over the seed — some find it con- 

 venient to use a hand or onion seeder. If the seed is planted in this 

 way, the surface of the field should be immediately gone over with a 

 drag, as it has been found that l)irds soon detect the marks of the seeder 

 and in many cases, have followed them up and pulled out the seed be- 



