1428 Tue Veceraste Inpcstry 1x New Yorx State 
amount of nitrogen derived from both nitrate and organic matter, 
rather high in phosphoric acid, derived from a non-acid souree, 
such as steamed bone, and containing a small amount of potash. 
Among the best crops we have ever had were those grown where 
green manure was plowed under and fertilized. 
PLANTING AND THINNING 
A. uumber of methods of planting are practiced: six by six 
feet in hills, thinned to four plants; three by six thinned to two 
plants, and in drills six feet apart, a plant every sixteen to eigh- 
teen inches. It is largely a matter of choice which is used. 
However, one of the latter distance is preferred, as it gives a bet- 
ter distribution. 
Plenty of seed should be used, as the striped bug will some- 
times thin the plants considerably when small. They should not be 
planted until the ground is fully warm, so they will come up 
quickly and grow without set-backs. 
The thinning should be done before the plants begin to be 
crowded. I prefer two thinnings: the first as soon as the second 
leaves are fully developed, leaving twice the number required; 
the second, at the last hoeing, just as they are about to fall down 
and run. 
They should have frequent but shallow cultivation. They are 
injured badly by root pruning, and great care should be taken 
not to cultivate either too deep or too close to the plants. 
TWO ENEMIES 
Two cucumber enemies are the strined beetle and squash bug 
which, when numerous, are kept off by lime or other repellants; 
but they are rarely bothersome enough when a large acreage is 
grown to require any treatment. A more serious trouble is the 
bacterial blight, the only cure for which is to pull and destroy the 
wilted plants. Leaf blight and mildew may both be controlled by 
spraying with standard strength bordeaux mixture. 
VARIETIES 
The varieties grown for pickles are usually some one of the 
special cluster and picking varieties, each section having its pref- 
erence, 
