32 



FERRY & GO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



CUCUMBER 



This is one of the vegetables that can be grown to perfection by any one who can control a few square yards of reasonably good 

 soil that is fully exposed to the sun. Every family should be supplied from its own garden, since the fruit is so much better when 

 gathered fresh from the vines as desired for use than it is in the more or less wilted con- 

 dition in which it is found on the market. 



In order to obtain the largest yield of cucumbers, the soil should be well enriched 

 with well-rotted manure, but an abundance of good fruit can be raised on any rich gar- 

 den soil. Plant the seed not over an inch deep in hills four to six feet apart each way, 

 dropping fifteen to twenty seeds in a hill. After the plants begin to crowd and danger 

 from the striped beetle is pretty well over, thin to three plants to the hill. Give frequent 

 but shallow cultivation until the plants make runners so long that this is impracticable. 



In field culture, plow furrows four feet apart and similar ones at right anglesto the 

 first. At each intersection drop a shovelful or more of well-rotted manure which should 

 be well mixed with the soil. Many growers omit every sixth or eighth row, thus form- 

 ing paths for the distribution of manure and gathering the fruit. 



In many sections, where earliness is very important, market gardeners start plants 

 in boxes made like the ordinary berry box, "but witliout the raised bottom. The boxes 

 are set in hotbeds or cold-frames, filled with rich, friable soil and the seed planted. 

 When danger of frost is over, the plants are set in the open ground, the boxes being cut 

 away, so that the roots are not disturbed at all. 



The striped cucumber beetle is often very destructive to young plants. These 

 beetles, when not very numerous, are usually kept from doing serious damage by dust- 

 ing the plants with fine road earth. Tobacco dust and plaster may be used with impun- 

 ity. Lime and ashes are more effective but will injure the plants if used too freely. "We 

 spray our fields, at intervals of ten days through the season, with Bordeaux mixture to 

 which has been added Paris green, which is a poison for biting insects and a preven- 

 tive of blight. The best protection against injury is a vigorous and rapid growth of 

 the young plants. 



Pick the fruit as soon as it is large enough and before it begins to ripen, as the vines 

 will cease setting fruit as soon as any seed begins to mature. In gathering for pickles, 

 cut the stem instead of pulling the fruit off and be careful not to mar the fruit in any 

 way, for if the skin be broken the pickles will not keep so well. 



We pay particular attention to growing and selecting the various strains 

 so as to keep them pure and true to name. 



Snows Pickling 



Boston Pickling 



¥-• I ^1 . An early and very produc- 



tarly l^lUSter tlve variety. The vines 

 ai-e hardy and very vigorous, bearing fruits 

 in clusters of two or three. The fruits are 

 short, thick, bright green, shading lighter at 

 blossom end, crisp and tender. This sort is 

 planted in many sections for the home gar- 

 den. It is extensively used for a pickling 

 cucumber as v/ell as for slicing. Pkt. 5c; 

 * Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; 1/4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 

 T7 1 OL M. r^ This variety is 



Larly bhort Green known also as 



Early Frame. It is an early, bright green 

 cucumber of medium size, very extensively 

 used for slicing and pickling. The vine? are 

 very vigorous and productive. The fruits are 

 straight, a little smaller at the ends, bright 

 green in color, shading lighter at the blossom 

 end. The flesh is crisp and tender. The 

 variety is extensively used for the home 

 garden. Our stock is very superior. Pkt. 5c; 

 Oz. 10c; 2 Oz.20c; V4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 

 O > D* 1 !• All early maturing, 



OnOW S JriCKling very small, dark green 

 cucumber, cylindrical, square ended, and 

 very popular with growers for small pickles. 

 We have been growing this variety ourselves 

 for several years, giving special attention to 

 purity and uniformity of type and we believe 

 the seed we offer meets in all respects the 

 requirements of those who want an ideal 

 bottle pickle. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; 

 1/4 Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 



Chicago or Westerfield ofthisvery 



PirlclirnT ^'^sirable sort are of medium 

 *: li,K.lilig length, tapering at each end, with 

 very large and prominent spines. The color 

 is deep green. This is a very prolific va- 

 riety and one of the best for those who want 

 crisp, coarsely spined pickles. Pkt. 5c; 

 Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; V4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 

 r> . r*« II* This is a very produc- 



DOStOn r^lCKlmg tl ve variety that is ex- 

 tensively grown for pickles. The vines are 

 vigorous. The fruits are bright green, of 

 medium size, very smooth and symmetrical. 

 The flesh is crisp and tender. Our seed is de- 

 cidedly superior to much that is offered. 

 Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; 1/4 Lb. 30c; 

 Lb. $1.00 

 f n* 11* This variety is between 



Jersey riCkling the Long and the short 

 Green, forming a long, slender, cylindrical 

 deep green pickle which is very crisp and 

 tender. The vines are very vigorous and 

 productive. The mature fruits are usually 

 about eight to nine inches in length This 

 sort is desirable for slicing as well as for 

 pickling. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; 

 V4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 



