30 



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



CUCUMBER 



This is one of the vegetables that can be grown to perfection by any one who 

 can control a few square yards of soil that is fully exposed to the sun. The fruit 

 is so much better when gathered fresh from the vines than it is in the more or less 

 wilted condition in which it is found on the market that every family should be 

 supplied from its own garden. 



CULTURE— In order to obtain the largest yield of cucumbers, the soil should 

 be well enriched with Avell 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 beetle is pretty nearly 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 u-ell rotted manure Avhich should be well 

 mixed with the soil, forming abroad, flat hill four to six inches above the surface. 

 Many growers omit every fourth row, thus fonuing paths for the distribution of 

 manure and gathering the fruit. In many sections, where earhness is very im- 

 portant, 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 the roots 

 are not disturbed at all. 



The plants are liable to attack from the striped 

 cucumber beetles which are so numerous in some cases 

 as to destoy them. These may be kept off by a fre- 

 quent dusting with air-slacked lime, soot or sifted ashes 

 diluted with fine road earth. Care should be taken 

 not to use too much of any of the above materials, for 

 if used too freely they w'ill kill the vines. The best 

 protection against injury is a vigorous and rapid- 

 growth of the young plants. 



Pick the fruit 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 in- 

 stead of pulling the fruit off, and be careful not to mar 

 the fruit in any way, for if the skin be broken the 

 pickles wiU not keep so well. 



We pay particular attention to growing and select- 

 ing the various strains of cucmnbers, so as to keep them. 

 'H pure and true to name. 



Early Russian SStviS'e - 



■vigorous and productive. Fruit 

 three to four inches lon^ 

 thick, oval and coverec 

 with fine, small spines. 

 Pkt. 5c: Oz. 10c; 

 3 Oz. 15c; 

 % Lb. 35c; 

 Lb. 80c. 



Early Cluster Cucumber. 



Early 



rill«f Pr "^^^^ vigorous, producing the bulk of the crop near the 

 L'l 1101.131 root and in clusters. Fruit short, -nath uniformly thick 



end," dark green, but paler at blossom end. A very productive sort. 



Pkt. 5c; Or. 10c; 3 Oz. 15c; ^ Lb. 35c; Lb. 75c. 



Early Short Green, or Early frame trlT^^rlfinifSr 



pickling. Plants very vigorous and productive. Fruit straight, handsome, 

 small at each end, bright green, lighter at the blossom end, with crisp 

 tender flesh, and makes excellent pi.ckles. Comes into use a httle later 

 than the Early Cluster and keeps green a longtime. Our stock is very 

 superior. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 3 Oz. ioc; % Lb. 35c; Lb. 75c. 



IpP^PV Pirl/linn intermediate between the Long and the Short 

 JCI oCj I lljKllliy Green, forming- a long, slender, cylindrical pickle 

 which is verj' crisp and tender. Pkt. 5c; Oz.' 10c; 3 Oz. 15c; H Lb. 35c; 

 Lb. 75c. 



Chicago, or Westerfield Pickling IZl^r^t'^i^^^^^ 



length, pointed at each end, with very large and prominent spines; color 

 deep green. It is an extremely prolific variety and is one of the best for 

 those who want crisp, coarsely prickled p'ickles. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 

 3 Oz. 15c; H Lb. 35c; Lb. 75c. 



A distinct and very 

 productive variety, 

 extensively grown for pickles. Fruit medium sized, verj' smooth, sj-in- 

 metrical, bright green. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 3 Oz. 15c; H Lb. 35c; 

 Lb. 75c. 



A new, rather late variety of very symmetrical 

 shape and smooth skin. It retains its dark green 

 color until nearly ripe. It is spineless and the flesh is crisp, white and 

 tender. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 3 Oz. 30c; % Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 



Fi i ^ in ?% r* in 1^ ^^ ^^^® variety, producing long, very dark green 

 ■-* ■^■■bCII \jv^ fruit, pointed at each end, very constant in form 

 and color; flesh crisp and tender; excellent either for pickles or slicing. 

 The stock we offer is' a great improvement over that usually sold either as 

 Bismarck or Tailby Hybrid, being much better and more uhif ormjn shape, 

 without the distinct neck which was a fault of the old stock. It can be 

 depended upon to produce very symmetrical, handsome, dark green fruits 

 which will hold their color better than those of any other kind. Tliis is one 

 of the best sorts for growing under glass. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 3 Oz. 15c; 

 %Lb. 35c; Lb. 85c. 



Boston Pickling, or Green Prolific 



Bmerald 



Bismarck Cucumber. 



