196 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES 



plant out is also an easy way to get an earlier crop than otherwise. 

 This method is in fact employed on quite a large scale by Chinese 

 growers in the Marysville region of the Sacramento valley in this 

 way : About the latter third of February, the time varying with the 

 season, the seeds are planted in old tin cans that have otherwise out- 

 lived their usefulness, to give the plants a good start in spite of 

 frosts. Rich soil with lots of manure is used in the cans, and after 

 the plants are a couple of inches high, and weather permits, the cans 

 are split open so as to let the roots out without disturbing the soil, 

 and set out in raised beds, where they start bearing about the mid- 

 dle of May. The cucumbers are picked every morning and are 

 well irrigated and the next morning are ready to pick again. They 

 have about a two months' start in the market over the bay districts 

 and the San Joaquin truck gardens. 



Some use is made of deep holes partly rilled with tramped horse 

 manure and then with earth and growing plants on top of the hill 

 thus formed, protected with glass or cloth. With such arrange- 

 ments double care must be had to supply enough water. The south 

 side of a fence or building is a good place for fast spring growth. 

 In short, moderate heat, copious watering and rich soil are the se- 

 crets of good cucumbers, and there is much chance for ingenuity in 

 securing these conditions. 



For pickling. Cucumbers for pickling are largely grown in 

 the early autumn from midsummer planting. As stated before, 

 where irrigation can be had, autumn temperatures are often very 

 favorable for the plant. 



Varieties. Although our county fairs may be counted upon to 

 bring to view almost every shape and length of cucumber which 

 amateurs delight in, very few kinds constitute the crop grown 

 for use: 



Arlington White Spine : good size, straight and symmetrical, holds green 

 color well, very productive and early; used both for market and pickling. 



Evergreen White Spine: a standard mid-season variety, large, dark 

 green, tender, white crisp flesh. 



Klondike: similar to Long White Spine, specially favored by southern 

 California market growers. 



Long Green: an old standard late variety; dark green; firm and crisp; 

 good form ; a favorite for pickling. 



Green Prolific or Boston Pickling: early and productive; small size; 

 crisp and tender; popular for pickling. 



Everbearing: very early and prolific; medium length, thick; rich dark 

 green. 



Davis Perfection: long, slender, good green color, and flesh white and 

 crisp; flavor excellent; commended for family garden. 



Cumberland: hardy, vigorous and prolific; very desirable for pickling 

 because very good in all sizes. 



Chicago Pickling: medium long, dark green, rounded ends; a popular 

 pickling variety. 



Cool and Crisp : especially favored as a garden variety ; green but ripen- 

 ing white. 



Lemon : resembles its namesake in shape and color and is used when 

 yellow ; eaten as plucked from vines ; also used as are other cucumbers ; 

 becoming popular. 



