420 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



In conclusion, it may be stated that the advantages of 

 pruning are that the fruit is concentrated on the plant to a 

 greater extent than it would be if the plant Avere not pruned, 

 and that the largest amount of fruit can be obtained in the 

 shortest time. The amount of fruit occurring in a single 

 axil is also greater. We have seen crops which would pro- 

 duce in a large number of instances as many as half a dozen 

 cucumbers in a single axil. From om" experience, it would 

 seem that a }ilant pruned would produce more fruit than one 

 not pruned, or, in other words, the pruning increases the 

 yield ; as in the two experiments noted there was a larger 

 yield obtained from the pruned plants, although the crops 

 Avere grown on successive 3^ears, and hence not under ex- 

 actly similar conditions. 



Cucumber Diseases. 



Both indoor and outdoor cucumbers are subject to a num- 

 ber of diseases. Many of these troubles are directly trace- 

 able to the gardener ; or, in other words, diseased conditions 

 of the plant are brought about by a lack of knowledge and 

 skill in handling the crop. This particular!}^ holds true 

 Avhere cucumbers are grown under glass, in which case the 

 gardener to a large extent is responsible for the plant's en- 

 vironment. The gardener who grows outdoor cucumbers 

 must submit largely to conditions and circumstances Avhich 

 he cannot control, although it is possible under these cir- 

 cumstances for one to modify to some extent the conditions 

 of his crops to better meet these adverse external influences. 

 Cultivation (if outdoor cucumbers has met with many draw- 

 backs during the last few years, and the same holds true in 

 regard to the melon industry. This condition of aftairs is 

 mostl}^ caused by the presence of certain fungi that attack 

 the foliage. Experience has shown that the use of ordi- 

 nary fungicides and the application of the common methods 

 of spraying have little control over these pests. The most 

 serious fungous diseases affecting outdoor cucumbers at the 

 present time are those caused by the anthracnose and downy 

 mildew, and bacterial wilt is more or less prevalent. Indeed, 

 the ravages caused by the presence of the fungus known as 



