CHAPTER IV. 

 CUCUKBITACEOUS PLANTS. 



The Cucumber. The Melon. Muskmelon. Persian Melons. Water- 

 melon. Prickly-fruited Gherkin. Pumpkin. Squash. 



THE CUCUMBER. 



Cucumis sativus. 



Soil and Culture. Cucumbers succeed decidedly best in 

 warm, moist, rich, loamy ground. The essentials to their 

 growth are heat and a fair proportion of moisture. They 

 should not be planted or set in the open air until there is a 

 prospect of continued warm and pleasant weather ; as, when 

 planted early, not only are the seeds liable to decay in the 

 ground, but the young plants are frequently cut oif by 

 frost. 



The hills should be five or six feet apart in each direction. 

 Make them fifteen or eighteen inches in diameter, and a foot 

 in depth ; fill them three-fourths full of thoroughly digested 

 compost, and then draw four or five inches of earth over 

 the whole, raising the hill a little above the level of the 

 ground ; plant fifteen or twenty seeds in each, cover half an 

 inch deep, and press the earth smoothly over with the back 

 of the hoe. When all- danger from bugs and worms is past, 

 thin out the plants, leaving but three or four of the strongest 

 or healthiest to a hill. 



Taking the Crop. As fast as the cucumbers attain a 



