,or VINE OR 



CUCURBITOUS CROPS 



after the other. Spade up the ground loosely 

 for a space of a square foot or two, and mix 

 light, loose earth or barnyard scrapings with it 

 to make the hill. It is well to add a handful of 

 fertilizer to the earth; but if it seems cold and 

 hard, remove it altogether and replace it by 

 light, warm soil. Of course in the warm, light 

 soils of the South this is not necessary. 



CUCUMBER AND GHERKIN. 



There are almost no special directions for 

 growing cucumbers if the general directions for 

 all vine crops are carefuUy followed. Cucum- 

 bers are planted in hills, usually four by four 

 feet apart, though for the large, late varieties 

 they may be as far as four by six feet apart. 

 An acre contains 2722 hills when the distance is 

 four by four feet, and it requires two pounds of 

 seed to plant an acre, or one ounce to 70 or 80 

 hills. That will allow four or five plants to a 

 hUl. Remember to plant freely if the striped 

 beetle is at work near your patch. 



As cucumbers are eaten when young, it helps 

 the jdeld immensely if each fruit is picked as 

 soon as it reaches the table state. You should 

 go over the entire patch every two or three days 

 at least, to see that no fruit is ripening at the 

 expense of the growth of its little brothers on 



