34 



D. M. FERRY & COS 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 tor 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 abun- 

 dance 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, tliin to tbree plants to tlie hill. Give frequent but shallow cultivation until the plants make runners so long that this 

 is impracticable. 



In tield 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 wliich 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 tlie raised bottom. The boxes are set in hot-beds 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 usei I with 

 iiupimity. Lime ami 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 p^jison for biting insects 

 and a preventive of blight. The best protection against injury is a vigorous and rapid growth of the young plants. 



I'ick 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 

 tlie fruit in any way, for if the skin be broken tlie 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 f>t . An early and very pi-oductive variety. The vines are hardy and very vigorous, bearing fruits in clusters 



tiarly v^lUSter 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 tlie home gar'ien. It is extensively used for a pickling cucumber as well as for 



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



El Qi . f> This variety is known also ^ Early Frame. It is an early, bright green cucumber of medium size, 



arly i^nort vareen very extensively used for slicing and plckllng. 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 superior. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; 

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



S' P* 11* *^" early maturing, very small, dark green cucumber, cylindrical, square ended, and very popular 



now S r ICkling 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. 

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



^1 • p. I i. The fruits of this very desirable sort are of medium length, 



K^tllC&gO r ICkling tapering at each end, with very large and prominent spines. 



The color is deep green. This is a very prolif. 



ie variety and one of the best for those who " 



want crisD. coarsely spined pickles. Pkt. 



10c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; 'A Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 



Bj. t>" 1 1" This is a very pro- 



OStOn rlCKling ductive 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 

 decideillv -superior to much that is offered. 

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

 Lb. $1.25 



f O' 11* This variety is be- 



Jersey riCklmg tween the Long and 

 the Short Green, forming a long, slender, 

 cylindrical deep green pickle which is very 

 crisp and tender. The vines are very vigor- 

 ous 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. 10c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 

 25c; Va Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 



I- 1 iiri 'i o • One of the best 



harly White bpine sorts for tawe 



use. The vines are vigorous, fruiting early 

 and abundantly. The fruits are uniformly 

 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 excellentquality. 

 The variety is much used for the home 

 garden and market. Pkt. 10c: Oz. 15c; 

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



1^1 J. I A medium early, white spined 

 IvlOnCllKe cucumber of handsome, very 

 dark green color and of excellent quality 

 for slicing. The vines are very hardy anil 

 productive. '1 he mature fruits when grown 

 under favorable conditions are often about 

 eight inches in length, and are uniform in - 

 size and shape. The color is very dark green, 

 slightly striped at the ends. The dark green 

 color is retained much longer and is affected 

 less by the hot sun than any other sort with 

 which we are familiar. Its uniform size 

 and shape and splendid color are making 

 this varietv very popidar as a shipping sort. 

 Pkt. lOc; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c: Va Lb. 40c: 

 Cmjcaqo Pjckling Lb. $1.50 Boston Pickling 



