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 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 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 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 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 hotbecfs 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 tnat 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 a 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 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. 
I Early and very productive. Vines are hardy and very vigorous, bearing fruits in clusters of two or 
H»&rly Cluster three. Fruits short, thick, bright green, shading lighter at blossom end, crisp and tender. Extensively 
used for pickling as well as slicing. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; l / 4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
r i pi , /-'i This variety is known 
h-arly ofiort virecn also as Early Frame, 
and is an early, bright green cucumber of medium 
size, very extensively used for slicing and pick¬ 
ling. Vines very vigorous and productive. Fruit 
straight, a little smaller at the ends, bright green, 
shading lighter at the blossom end, crisp ana 
tender. Our stock is very superior. Pkt. 5c; 
Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; l / 4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
n . n r i J The small cucumbers 
Pressing Perrected Of this splendid vari. 
Pirklincr ety are s h° r L cylindrical and blunt 
1 n-'tviiiig ended, making, when packed in bot¬ 
tles, very handsome, showy pickles of the very 
best quality. For this purpose we recommend 
the variety more highly than any other sort. The 
vines are vigorous, setting their fruit early and 
are very productive. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; 
y 4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
c 9 D* 1 1* An early maturing, very 
onOW S rlCkling small, dark green cucum¬ 
ber; cylindrical, square ended, and very popular 
with many growers who want an idealbottle pickle. 
The seed we offer was grown from a very fine lot 
of stock seed procured from the originator. 
(See further description in Supplement, page S) 
Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; \ 4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
.. n * l l* A pickling strain of 
Muscatine Pickling western origin, even 
in shape, of deep green color, blunt ended and 
very desirable for small pickles. One of the most 
promising of the recent improvements in pick¬ 
ling cucumbers. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; 
y 4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
/^i_ • ■ £• i l Fruit of me- 
Chicago, or Westerneld dium length, 
Pirlrlincr pointed at each end, with very large 
i iLtvung and prominent spines; color deep 
green. A very prolific variety and one of the best 
for those who want crisp, coarsely spined pickles. 
Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; V 4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
D m. D* 11* A very productive variety 
DOSton Pickling extensively grown for 
pickles. Vines vigorous. The fruits are bright 
green, of medium size, very smooth and sym¬ 
metrical. Flesh crisp and tender. Pkt. 5c; 
Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; V 4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
i l i* Intermediate between the 
Jersey Pickling Long and the Short Green, 
forming a long, slender, cylindrical pickle which 
is very crisp and tender. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 
2 Oz. 20c; V 4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
i ri •_ o • One of the best sorts 
tarly W hlte opine for table use. Vines 
vigorous, fruiting early and abundantly. Fruit 
uniformly straight, light, bright green in color, 
with a few white spines. Flesh crisp, tender and 
of excellent quality. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; 
Boston Pickling V4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
