CUCUMBERS 129 



that, or the water will drain away too fast and leave 

 the young plants dry. 



A Simple Method of Irrigation. — If the summer 

 in your locality is likely to be hot and dry, a very 

 simple and effective means of irrigation may be pro- 

 vided by placing an old pail or keg in the ground in 

 the center of the square formed by four hills. The 

 bottom should leak freely, so that the water may be 

 absorbed into the earth and find its way as needed 

 to the roots of the near-by vines. 



Insects and Disease 



In some localities cucumbers must be protected 

 against both bugs and blight. In all localities bugs 

 must be expected. Fortunately, one or two simple 

 remedies are at hand which will make it possible 

 to protect cucumbers from these various enemies. 



Flies and Beetles. — As soon as the first leaves of 

 the cucumber appear, they are usually attacked by 

 a small, black fly, or a yellow-striped beetle, or both. 

 In fact, where growth is slow, the beetle may become 

 impatient and meet the new sprout halfway up. 



If the^plot is small, the most satisfactory way to 

 protect against these is to bend a wire or supple 

 branch, thrusting the ends into the earth at each 

 side of the hill. Over this a piece of mosquito net- 

 ting may be thrown, and earth gathered on the edge 

 to hold it in place. This netting serves the plants 

 in a double sense. It keeps the flies and beetles 



