CHAPTER XIVS 



VINE CROPS 



CUCUMBERS. The cucumber thrives 

 ^^ only in warm weather and cannot stand 

 the slightest frost. If the seed is planted in 

 the open while the soil is cold and wet, it invari- 

 ably rots. Three to four seeds may be planted 

 in a very rich soil in strawberry baskets, four to 

 five weeks before the soil is warm out of doors. 

 When transplanting, cut the bottom out of the 

 box and carefully remove the sides. The roots 

 must not be disturbed. The garden soil 

 should be a deep, rich loam, retentive of mois- 

 ture, responding quickly to temperature and 

 fertilizers. If decayed horse or cow manure 

 is available, dig a hole six inches deep, two feet 

 in diameter. Scatter in a shovelful of manure 

 and cover it with fine soil. These hills should 

 be about three feet apart. Press in each hill 



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