D. M. FERRY CO., DETROIT, MICH 



37 



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 condition in which it is found on the market. 



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

 riched with well-rotted manure, but an abundance of good fruit can be raised 

 on any rich garden soil. Plant tlie 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 fvu*rows four feet apart and similar ones at right angles 

 Lo 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 forming 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 without 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 tliat the roots are not disturbed at all. 



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

 These beetles, w^hen not very numerous, are usually kept from doing serious 

 damage by dusting the plants with fine road earth. Tobacco dust and plaster 

 may be used with impunity. Lime and ashes are more effective but will injure 

 the plants if used too free'ly. 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 preventive of blight. The best 

 protection against injury is a vigorous and rapid growth of the young plants. 



Pick tlie 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 anj' way, for if the skin be brolven thepiclvJes 

 will not keep so well. 



We paj' particular attention to growing and selecting the various strains 

 so as to keep them pure and true to name. 



Snows Pickling 



BOSTO'^ P'CKLlNi? 



r I g-^1 . An early and very productive 



tarly ^^lUSter variety. The vines are h.--dy 

 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 garden. It is extensively used for 

 a pickling cucumber as w^ell as for slicing. 

 Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; V4 Lb. 25c; Lb. 90c. 



ri I oi_ M. r^ This variety is knovim 



Larly bhort Cjreen also as Early Frame. 

 It is an early, bright green cucumber of medium 

 size, very extensively used for slicing and pick- 

 ling. The vines are very vigorous and produc- 

 tive. 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 stiperior. Pkt. 5c; 

 Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; Vi Lb. 25c; Lb. 90c. 



O > D* 1 !• ^^ early maturing, very 



onOW S r^lCKling small, dark green cucum- 

 ber, cylindrical, square ended, and very popular 

 with growers for small pickles. We have been 

 growing this variety otirselves 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. 10c; 

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



Chicago or Westerf ield thS ve^y^ de- 



PirlclinO" ^ii'^ble sort are of medium length, 

 r t«..tviiiig tapering at each end, with very large 

 and prominent spines. The color is deep green. 

 .This is a very prolific variety and one of the 

 best for those who want crisD. coarsely spined 

 pickles. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 6z. 20c; V4 Lb. 30c; 

 Lb. $1.00 



O *. D* 1 1* This is a very productive 



DOStOn rlCKling variety that is extensively 

 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 decidedly superior to much 

 that is offered. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; 

 1/4 Lb. 25c; Lb. 90c. 



f n* 1 1* 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.lOc; 2 Oz.l5c; 

 Vd Lb. 25c: Lb. 90c. 



