D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 



39 



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 j^arden, 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 enriched with well-rotted manure, but an 

 abundance of good fruit can be raised on any rich garden 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 bee- 

 tle 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 angles to 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 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 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 freely. We spray our fields, al'intervals 

 of ten (lays 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 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. 

 P I |-^| . An early and very productive variety. The vines are hardy and very vigorous, bearing fruits in clusters 



l!<3.rly v^lUStCr 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 vised for a pickling cucumber as well as for slicing. 

 Pkt. 10c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; V4 Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 

 «-. I Qi . ^ This variety is known also as Early Frame. It is an early, bright green cucumber of medium size, 



llia.rly dnort vxreen very extensively used for slicing and pickling. The vines 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 siiperior. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; 

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



Sf 0* 1 l* ^" early maturing, very small, dark green cucumber, cylindrical, square ended, and very popular with 



now S r ICKlmg 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 ll:ose who 

 want an ideal bottle pickle. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 15c; 

 2 Oz. 25c: V4 Lb. 40c: Lb. $1.50 



Chicago or Wester field Pickling 



The fruits of this very desirable sort are of 

 medium length, 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 crisp, 

 coarsely spined pickles. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 15c; 

 2 Oz. 25c; 1/4 Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 



BM. D* 1 1* "^^^^^ ^^ ^ very produc- 



OStOn I^lCKling tive variety thnt 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. 10c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; V4 Lb. 40c; 

 Lb. $1.25 



¥ r»« 1 !• This variety is between 



Jersey riCkling the Long and the Short 

 Green, forming a long, slender, cyhndrical 

 deep green pickle which is very crisp and 

 tender. The vines are very vigorous and pro- 

 ductive. The mature fruits are usually about 

 eight to nine inches in length. This sort is 

 desirable for slicing as well as for pickling. 

 Pkt. 10c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; V4 Lb. 40c; 

 Lb. $1.25 



Early White Spine p-^lb'Jf S'TS 



vines are vigorous, fruiting early and abundant- 

 ly. The fruits are unifoimly straight, dark- 

 green, fairly well covered with white spines 

 and when mature are usually about seven 

 inches in length. The flesh is crisp, tender and 

 of excellent quahty. The variety is much 

 used for the home garden and market. 

 Pkt. 10c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; y4 Lb. 40c; 

 Lb. $1.50 



. |. A medium early white spined 



Arlington cucumber, more slender than 

 Farly White Spine and pointed at each end. 

 The young fruits are crisp and tender. The 

 mature fruits are bright deep green and are 

 about seven inches in length, sometimes long- 

 er. This variety is extensively used for the 

 home garden and for bulk pickles. Pkt. 10c; 

 Boston Pickling Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; V4 Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 



