CUCUMBER 111 



Soil. Any good garden soil, but preferably light 

 and neither dry nor wet. Cucumber soil should be in 

 the best of tilth, rich, and "quick." Into each hill well- 

 rotted manure should be spaded, and a handful of 

 chemical fertilizer should also be added. Too much 

 nitrogen in the soil will, however, cause the plants to 

 run to vine. 



Distances. Hills four or five feet each way. For 

 large late varieties four by six feet is advisable. A hill 

 should be about two feet in diameter. 



Depth. Under glass, cover seed lightly. Out-of- 

 doors, about three-fourths of an inch. 



Sow. Under glass, in April. A good practice is to 

 sow several seeds in a five- or six-inch pot, half filled ; 

 when the plants are up, pick out all but the strongest ; 

 fill in as the plant grows ; transplanting is thus avoided. 

 Berry baskets may be used, and set out baskets and all. 

 Or sow in inverted sods. 



Sow out-of-doors when danger of frosts is over, 

 about June 1, eight to ten seeds to the hill, on account 

 of insects. Sow for pickles in June and early July. Let 

 all plants grow that will, until it is evident which are 

 the strongest against their pests, when 



Thin to four or five in the hill. 



Set out house-grown plants when danger of frosts is 

 over. They should be stocky to withstand enemies, and 

 well hardened to bear the sun and wind. 



Cultivate till the vines cover the ground. 



