38 



would be if the plant were not pruned, and that the largest amount of 

 fruit can be obtained in the shortest time. The amount of fruit occur- 

 ring in a single axil is also greater. We have seen crops which would 

 produce in a large number of instances as many as half a dozen cucum- 

 bers in a single axil. From our experience, it would seem that a plant 

 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 were grown on successive years, and hence not under exactly 

 similar conditions. 



Cucumber Diseases. 



Both indoor and outdoor cucumbers are subject to a number of 

 diseases. Many of these troubles are directly traceable to the gardener ; 

 or, in other woi'ds, diseased conditions of the plant are brought about 

 by a lack of knowledge and skill in handling the crop. This par- 

 ticularly holds true where 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 which he cannot control although 

 it is possible under these circumstances for one to modify to some ex- 

 tent the conditions of his crops to better meet these adverse external 

 influences. Cultivation of 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 affairs is mostly caused by the 

 presence of ceilain fungi that attack the foliage. Experience has 

 shown that the use of ordinary 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 bac- 

 terial wilt is more or less prevalent. Indeed, the ravages caused by 

 the presence of the fungus known as the anthracnose are so great that 

 it is a question at the present time whether it is worth while to attempt 

 to raise cucumbers and melons out of doors, or at least not until some 

 more efficient methods have been discovered than those utilized at 

 present. 



Some of the principal diseases with which cucumbers are affected are 

 as follows : — 



Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe Polygoni DC.) . — This is a white, mil- 

 dew-like growth, which occurs on the upper surface of the leaves, and 

 is not uncommonly seen on cucumbers grown under glass. It occurs 

 most frequently in houses which are kept too moist and dark, and 

 which lack ventilation. The most successful method of preventing 

 mildew is to give the house air and light, and hold the moisture down. 

 This results in producing a crop possessed of firm texture, which will 

 be less susceptible to mildew. In case the mildew has become once 

 established in the house, thi-ough some mismanagement of the crop, the 

 plants can be sprayed with ivory soap and water, mixed at the rate of 

 one bar of ivoi'y soap (10-cent size) to 15 gallons of warm water. This 

 should be applied when first made, and when warm. Bees constitute 



