XXI 



CUCUMBERS; ALSO PUMPKINS, MELONS 

 AND SQUASHES 



GOOD results may be secured with cucumbers on 

 clay or loam or sandy soils. Because of the 

 dangers from extremes of temperature, however, 

 the season in our northern gardens is necessarily 

 short for this sensitive plant. The soil must be 

 of such make and tilth that a quick start is 

 assured. While clay loams or more retentive 

 heavier soils serve well for later plants, a warm 

 sandy loam properly prepared is necessary for the 

 earlier plantings. Whatever the soil, it must have 

 the proper preparation. In fitting the cucumber 

 strip, special foresight is needed with reference to 

 moisture conservation. Both the vines and the 

 fruit are unusually succulent, and must have an 

 abundance of water for healthy steady growth. 

 Much can be done to make the most of the soil 

 supply of water, through careful tillage and by 

 the use of abundance of humus in the hills. If 

 the soil-moisture is wasted by careless prepara- 

 tion, the injury to growth at the start can never 

 be repaired. The harvest is largely lost at the 

 outset. Proper tillage produces an even distribu- 



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