384 The Cucurbits 



Jured by the sun and winds when transplanted, and will 

 be later than plants started directly in the field. 



The young plants are likely to be ruined by the attacks 

 of the striped beetle and jDther enemies. It is important, 

 therefore, that the seed be sown freely. If one-fourth or 

 one-fifth of the plants escape their enemies, the grower 

 may consider" himself fortunate. In some cases growers 

 plant pumpkin or squash seeds in the field very early to 

 attract the striped beetle where they may be killed, and 

 the later frame-grown melon or cucumber plants are then 

 relatively safe. 



CUCUMBBK AND GHERKIN 



Hills of cucumber are usually made about 4x4 or 4x5 

 feet ; sometimes they are 4x6, for the large late varieties, 

 or even 6 ft. either way in extensive field culture. At 4 x 4 

 feet, 2,722 hills are contained on an acre. Four or five plants 

 are allowed to remain in each hill. About two pounds of seeds 

 are calculated to plant an acre, or 1 ounce foi 70 to 80 hills. 

 Seed may be planted about % in. deep. If the striped bugs 

 are bad, plant heavily. An average acre should yield 100 

 bushels for pickling. Under the best conditions, 400 and 500 

 bushels of pickling cucumbers are raised to the acre. 



Bacterial wilt {Bacillus tracheipMlus) . — Affected plants 

 droop and wilt within a short time. If a stem is cut across, 

 sticky ooze will adhere to the finger and can be drawn out 

 into thin threads. Certain biting insects of cucumbers are 

 largely responsible for the spread of the bacteria causing this 

 disease. Control: Spraying with bordeaux mixture and lead 

 arsenate powder (4-5-50-2) to keep the plants free of the 

 striped beetles is recommended. Applications should begin 

 soon after the plants are started and should continue at 

 about weekly intervals until insects are no longer present. 

 Removal and destruction of affected plants is desirable. Dust- 

 ing the plants with almost any dust mixture is also effective. 



