Vegetable-Gardening 1409 



or six seeds being planted in a so-called " hill " 18 to 36 inches apart in 

 the row. Later, thin so that but three strong stalks remain in each hill. 

 The seed should be planted not deeper than i\ inch; one inch is even 

 better. Clean culture should be given at all times. Corn roots are 

 relatively surface feeders, therefore only shallow cultivation should be 

 practiced. Remove the sucker growths that come out from around the 

 base of the stalk, as they have a tendency to decrease the productiveness 

 of the plant. 



There are a number of good varieties of corn. For early use, Early 

 Cory, Crosby, and Minnesota are recommended; for the main season, 

 Golden Bantam, Carpenter's Golden, Black Mexican, Quincy Market, 

 Potter's Excelsior; for late use, Country Gentleman, Stowell's Evergreen, 

 Late Mammoth Sugar. 



Cucumbers 



A rather rich, moist — but not wet — sandy loam is the best soil for 

 cucumbers. The seed should be planted about ^ inch deep — certainly 

 not more than 1 inch — in hills 4 feet apart each way. Do not plant 

 until all danger of frost is past. A shovelful of well-rotted manure or 

 a small handful of fertilizer thoroughly worked into the soil under each 

 hill, in addition to the general manuring of the land, will promote the 

 best results. The additional manure will give the plant an especially 

 good start and make it very vigorous and healthy. Cucumbers may be 

 planted also in drills, or rows, 6 inches apart, the plants being thinned 

 to 12 inches apart in the row. Cucumber seedlings are very easily in- 

 jured by cold, even if no frost occurs- therefore the planting should be 

 put off until the soil is warm. 



A small yellow-and-black striped beetle attacks the lower part of the 

 stem of the cucumber or the underside of the leaves, often destroying 

 great numbers of young plants. Where only a few hills are grown, the 

 attacks of this beetle may be prevented by covering the plants with 

 a box that has fly-screening or mosquito-netting nailed over its top. 

 Later the box is removed and put away for the following year. For a 

 larger patch, air-slaked lime or wood ashes acts as a distasteful food to 

 the beetles, or poisons properly applied are useful in removing the pest. 

 As cucumber diseases are now common, bordeaux mixture may have to 

 be applied several times in order to protect the plant. A vigorous, thrifty 

 plant is, however, more or less an insurance in itself against disease, 

 especially if the plant is grown early in the season. 



Cucumbers require frequent shallow cultivation until the vines spread 

 over the ground. Afterward, pulling out the stray weeds seems to be 

 the only culture needed. If it is desired to keep the vines in good bearing 

 condition, no fruit should be allowed to ripen on them. 



