CULTIVATION OF CUCUMBERS. 249 



1. jii <n such limb will neither grow nor acquire its 

 flavour, though it may change its colour. 



CULTIVATION OF CUCUMBERS. 



My abject in this article is to describe the manner 

 in which cucumbers are cultivated on Long Island 

 for the supply of the New- York markets. I would 

 premise, that the kind of cucumber grown is suited 

 to field-culture, and that the great object is to have 

 good fruit, and as early as possible, for two or three 

 days make a great difference in its value in market. 



Cucumbers will grow on any good soil ; but, to 

 have them early, we require one that is rich and 

 sandy, and of a dark colour yellow and light-col- 

 oured soils being later. The field should, if possi- 

 ble, be protected from the south and northwest 

 winds, and be situated near the bay or river, where 

 there is always less danger from late frosts. The 

 south winds with us, in May and June, retard vege- 

 tation more than any other, in consequence of their 

 being chilly and cool, from blowing over the ocean. 



Ground intended for cucumbers we prefer plough- 

 ing in August or the beginning of September of the 

 preceding year, and sowing it with rye : the pasture 

 which this produces pays for the labour; and its 

 other advantages are, the prevention of weeds going 

 to seed to trouble us in the spring ; the soil not 

 blowing about in the winter, especially on the knolls, 

 nor being so liable to blow when ploughed in the 

 spring, on, account of the roots of the plants, and the 

 sustenance afforded to the crop by the decay of the 

 rye. Previous to ploughing for the crop, there 

 should be spread seven two-horse loads of street or 

 horse manure to the acre ; but if the soil is poor, 

 more will be necessary, and the ploughing should 

 take place immediately after the spreading. The 

 ground is then harrowed over two or three times 

 until it is quite mellow, furrowed shallow with a 

 plough into hills four and a half feet apart, half a 

 I. U 



