358 A YEAR IN AGRICULTURE 



cover the ground. Break the surface after each rain and keep 

 out all weeds and grass. As soon as the vines begin to cover 

 the ground, cultivation is no longer possible, but the weeds 

 may be pulled out by hand. 



Harvesting. The vines must be kept in good bearing con- 

 dition by picking the cucumbers regularly. If they are left 

 to ripen, the productiveness of the vine is weakened. As an 

 experimental feature of the project, a few of the tips of the 

 growing vines may be kept pinched off after the vine has 

 reached a length of four or five feet. In this way more blos- 

 soms and fruit may be forced along the vine. 



Diseases and pests. Downy mildew and wilt are diseases 

 that sometimes attack the cucumber. Spraying with Bor- 

 deaux mixture is effective for these diseases. All vines dis- 

 eased beyond control should be destroyed as far as possible. 

 Arsenate, of lead should be sprayed on the vines for the 

 cucumber worm, and this is also effective against the striped 

 beetle. The striped beetle is the most serious pest of the 

 cucumber. Air-slaked lime or tobacco dust scattered about 

 the vines often acts as a successful repellent against these 

 pests. For melon lice, which are often serious pests of the 

 cucumber, spray with the tobacco water or whale-oil soap. 

 The under sides of the leaves must be reached. 



Records. The student carrying on this project should 

 keep a notebook record of every operation in the growing of 

 this crop. This should include the date of the preparation 

 o the ground, the planting of the seed, cultivation of the 

 ground, the amount of cucumbers harvested, the control of 

 the pests, and the cost and receipts for the whole project. 



