CHAPTER FIVE 



VINE CROP PROJECTS 



Cucumber, Muskmelon, Watermelon, Squash, Pumpkin 



The vine or cucurbitaceous group of vegetables includes the 

 cucumber, muskmelon, watermelon, squash, and pumpkin. While 

 they are classed as " tender " vegetables, they vary greatly in 

 their temperature requirements. The cucumber, pumpkin, and 

 squash are grown with entire success even in the coolest parts of 

 the North, while the muskmelon and especially the watermelon 

 are exacting in their requirements, especially with regard to soil. 

 The cucumber and early varieties of squash mature with com- 

 paratively short summers, but the muskmelon, watermelon, and 

 pumpkin require fairly long seasons, as do late varieties of squash. 



All of the cucurbits thrive in sandy loams, and, wherever 

 climatic conditions are unfavorable, liberal applications of well- 

 decayed stable manure are highly advantageous. 



Project VIII. Growing Cucumbers 



The cucumber belongs to the gourd family. The members of 

 this family are often referred to as cucurbits, a word derived from 

 the botanical name of the family. There are about 650 species in 

 the family, found mostly in the tropics. The cultivated species 

 are warm weather crops and are easily injured by frost. Other 

 well-known plants of this family are the pumpkin, squash, water- 

 melon, and muskmelon. The cucumber is a native of Asia and 



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