F piants N^rogen was applied, averaged 40 per cent., the aver- 



age per cent, of culls on the fertilized area was but 



5 8 25 per cent., indicating that the normal development 

 of fruit requires a sufficient amount of available 

 Nitrogen. 



On light soils, apply broadcast dur- 



' ing fal1 or winter > 8 to 10 tons of 



manure, which should be plowed in 



early in spring. After the land is prepared, a high- 

 grade fertilizer should be applied broadcast, at the 

 rate of 600 to 800 pounds per acre, and harrowed in 

 previous to planting. After the plants are well started, 

 apply 100 pounds per acre of Nitrate of Soda; belore 

 the vines begin to run, make an additional application 

 of 100 pounds per acre. Care should be taken in the 

 application of the Nitrate, as suggested in the case of 

 the other crops, not to allow the salt to come in contact 

 with the foliage of the plants. 



In the case of cucumbers, heavier 

 soils may be used, and larger quantities 

 of fertilizers applied. In our experiments, the applica- 

 tion of Nitrate in addition to regular methods of fer- 

 tilization resulted in a very large increase in crop- 

 over 100 per cent. and an increase in net value of 

 over $60 per acre. The amounts of Nitrate applied may 

 range from 250 to 300 pounds per acre, and it should 

 preferably be distributed more evenly throughout the 

 season than in the case of the melons; 300 pounds per 

 acre, in three applications, gave the best results. The 

 effect of the Nitrate here, as in the case of melons, was 

 particularly noticeable in maintaining a rapid and con- 

 tinuous growth of vine and fruit, thus materially re- 

 ducing the proportion of culls. For growing this crop 

 to best advantage, the soil should either be well man- 

 ured or a commercial fertilizer, rich in all of the con- 

 stituents, should be applied at the rate of 400 to 600 

 pounds per acre, previous to planting; and after the 

 plants have well started, 100 pounds per acre of Nitrate 

 of Soda should be applied; this to be followed with two 

 further dressings of the same amount. The time be- 

 tween the dressings may range from two to three 

 weeks, according to season. 



