D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 
31 
CUCUMBER 
This is one of the vegetables that can be grown to perfection by any one who can control a few square yards of reasonablj' 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 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. 
Ctive 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, forming abroad, 
fiat hill four to six inches above the surface. 
Many growers omit every fourth 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 Snows Pickling 
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. 
in any way, 
The plants are liable to attack from the striped cucumber beetles which are so numerous in some cases as to destroy them. 
These insects may be kept off by frequent dusting with air slaked 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 will kill the vines. The best pro¬ 
tection 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 
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. 
x- 1 , An early and very productive 
E-arly Cluster variety. The vines are 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 sect ions for 
the home garden. It is extensively used for a 
pickling cucumber as w«*ll as for slicing. Pkt. 5c; 
Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; Va Lb. 25c; Lb. 90c. 
r- i oi , This variety is known 
barly bhort Lxreen 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 productive. 
The fruits are straight, a little smaller at the ends, 
bright green in color, shading lighter at the blos¬ 
som 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. 15c; Va Lb. 25c; Lb. 90c. 
a j n* l l' An early maturing, very 
onOW S rickling small, dark green cucum¬ 
ber, 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.lOc; 2 Oz. 20c; 
1/4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
. n . it. This is a pickling 
Muscatine r lCkling Strain of western 
origin, desirable where short, blunt ended, 
heavily spined pickles of deep green color are 
wanted. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; Va Lb. 30c; 
Lb. $1.00 
Chicago or Wester field this very desir- 
ablesortareof medium length, taper- 
.riCKling | D g at eaeh 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. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; Va Lb. 25c; Lb. 90c. 
n m i i* This is a very productive 
DOSton ruckling 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 
Boston Pickling 
that is offered. Pkt. 
Va Lb. 25c; Lb. 90c. 
5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; 
