32 
D. M. FERRY & CO’S 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 i hat 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 Ik* 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 well over, 
thin to three plants to the hill. Give frequent but shallow culti¬ 
vation until the plants make runners so long that this is im¬ 
practicable. 
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 w ith the soil, forming a broad, flat 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 set in hotbeds or 
cold * frames, 
filled with 
rich, friable 
soil and the 
seed planted. 
When danger 
of frost is 
over, the Snows Pickling 
plants are 
set in the open ground, the boxes being cut away, so that 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 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 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 lie 
careful not to mar the fruit in any way, for if the skin be broken the pickles 
will not keep so well. 
We nay particular attention to growing and selecting the various strains 
so as to keep them pure and true to name. 
Early 
An early and very productive variety. The vines are 
UlUSter 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 extensively used as a 
pickling cucumber as well as for slicing. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; 
V 4 Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 
Early 
This variety is known also as Early Frame, and 
ohort V_»reen is ail early, bright green cucumber of medium 
size,*very extensively used for slicing and pickling. The vines are very 
vigorous and productive. Tlie 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. Our stock is very superior. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; 
V 4 Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 
o i if An early maturing, very small, dark green cucum- 
onow S rickling her: cylindrical, square ended, and very popular 
with many growers. The seed we offer was grown from a very fine lot of 
stock seed procured from the originator. 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. 15c; 
2 Oz. 25c; y 4 Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 
mm .. n * i u A pickling strain of western origin, even in 
Muscatine rickling Shape, of deep green color, blunt, ended and 
very desirable for small pickles. One of tne most promising of the recent 
improvements in pickling cucumbers. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; 
% Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 
-gj t . ii The fruits of this very desirable sort 
Unicago Or XV estertield are of medium length, pointed at each 
PirUina end, with very large and prominent spines. The color is deep 
a iLiumg green. A very prolific variety and one of the best for those 
who want crisp, coarsely spined pickles. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; 
y 4 Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 
o « D* 1 1* This is a very productive variety that is extensively 
DOS ton a ICKling grown for pickles. The vines are vigorous. The 
fruits are bright green, of medium size, very smooth and symmetrical. 
The flesh crisp and tender. Our seed is decidedly superior to much 
that is offered. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; y 4 Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 
I n* i p This variety is between the Long and the Short Green, 
Jersey Jr ICKling forming a long, slender, cylindrical pickle which is 
very crisp and tender. The vines are very vigorous and productive. This 
sort is excellent for slicing as well as for pickling. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 
2 Oz. 25c; y 4 Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 
Early White Spine 
