CUCUMBER. 327 



planted every two or three weeks until July first. After 

 that date it will not mature here. Corn requires a rich, 

 light soil to be earl}'. The leading yarieties are shown 

 in figure 131. Three or four quarts are required, if 

 successional crops are sown. If only one crop, two or 

 three pints will be sufficient for an ordinary family. 



CUCUMBER {Cucumis satitms). 



In most places where the Cucumber is grown out- 

 doors, it is more or less troubled with the '^Striped 

 Bug ; " but if only a few dozen hills are cultivated, it is 

 not a very troublesome matter to pick them off, which is 

 about the only sure way to get rid of them. The safest 

 method of raising Cucumbers, however, is to cover the 

 seeds, when first sown, with the hand-glass described in 

 the chapter on '^Iini^lements," which, by the time they 

 are wanted for Cucumbers, are no longer needed over 

 Cauliflowers. If such hand-glasses are not obtainable, a 

 simple method is to use a light box ten or twelve inches 

 square, and place it over the seeds after sowing, covering 

 it with a pane of glass. This 

 will not only forward the ger- 

 mination of the seeds, but will 

 protect the plants against the 

 bugs until they are strong 

 enough not to be injured by 

 them. Bryant's Plant Protec- 

 tor, a simple article, made of 

 light strips of wood covered ^^^- ^^''^• 



.,, ., ... BRYANT'S PLANT PROTECTOB. 



With mosquito netting, may 



be used instead of a hand-glass. This uill be found 

 equally valuable for protecting all plants liable to the 

 attacks of flying insects, and against the light frosts 

 so often injurious to tender plants. Light, sandy soil 

 is rather best for Cucumbers. The "hills" should 



