1428 The Vegetable Industry in New York State 



amount of nitrogen derived from both nitrate and organic matter, 

 rather high in phosphoric acid, derived from a non-acid source, 

 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 number 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 striped 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. 



