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Planting cucumbers. Make a rank growth, need
plenty of room, and are not for smaller gardens. Cucumbers need warm weather
for good development and are not only sensitive to cold but cannot stand
the extreme summer heat of some locations. They are susceptible to various
diseases and insects.
Cucumbers must have an extremely fertile,
mellow soil, generously supplied with manure and other organic matter.
In addition, rotted manure and commercial fertilizer should be worked
well into 8 or 10 inches of soil under the rows or hills. The ratio should
be 3 or 4 wheelbarrowfuls of manure and 5 pounds of commercial fertilizer
to each ro hills or to 50 feet of row. Pickling varieties are such small
types as National Pickling, Snow's Pickling, Boston Pickling, Chicago
Pickling. Large varieties, primarily for slicing, are A and C, Arlington
White Spine, Straight Eight, Early Fortune, and Stays Green.
Shamrock is a mosaic-resistant of the white
spine type. Cucumbers need 6 feet between rows and as much clearance between
the plants in the rows. Sow seeds in hills, with 8 or 10 seeds in a hill,
and thin out to 2 plants to a hill. Cover the seeds to a depth of 1 inch.
If the soil tends to bake, cover with a loose mixture of earth, sifted
coal ashes and sand that will not form a crust and keep the plants from
emerging.
The fruits must be removed before hard seeds
form; this lengthens the life of the plants. Frequent spraying or dusting
is necessary.
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