Peninsular news and advertiser. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1872-1904, 1876-05-26
Cucumhers for Pickles.

w. III. White writes the Country Gen
tlenlda on the cucumber business as fol-
lows:
In the vicinity of all large cities, there
are different classes of market Garden
ers, two of which here notice. The first
one has but little land, close by, or with
in the limits of the city; the other owns
larger farms, often lying on line of easy
communication, at considerable dis
tance away from market. 1t is an OBJ.
ject with the first to make his small area
produce the greatest possible amount, in
pecuniary point of view. To this end
the land is deeply and thoroughly cult.
waited, much grass is used for the forcing
of early vegetables, large quantities of ma
qlre are used, close planting is prac.
ed, taking two, three, or more crops
1m the same soil the same season, thus
taking their garden bring them in $500
TO ST. 900 per acre or more. They grow
every kind of vegetable for which remu-
nerative prices are paid, and to which
the soil is adapted. Lettuce and rad
ishes are planted between rows and hills
of other early crops-onions for bunch
ing, as also beets and turnips. early Gu
cumbers, &c.
The second class pursue more com
mon course, similar to that of farmers.
not expecting to realize such large gross
returns, thinking that they are doing
well when they obtain gross receipts of
500 to $500 per acre for that portion de-
voted to arabic culture. They usually
grow asparagus, peas, beans, potatoes,
tomatoes, cabbage and other salahle
crops.
As the raising of eucumbers for pick
les is n growing industry, and one of 10
a n
aged, few hints concerning the culture
may be acceptable to some OF our read
ers; and, to begin with, allow me to say.
do not rashly rush into the culture Of
pickles, but first investigate your mar
ket, find out what the probable demand
Will be, and what you can do with the
crop when produced, and then, with
your eyes open, you may rush as you
choose. rs
SOFIA lig porous, properly en-
riched soil is the best; but they will do
fairly on almost any soil where corn will
do well. In my own experience and OBJ
servatiOn, various soils, from light
sand to black peat or muck, have done
well. Land which may not be prepared
IN season for other crops, often is the
best for pickles, generally enduring the
drouth of the season the best. An early
crop of hay may be taken, and the sod
turned down and planted to pickles. and
q good return had, with good culture.
The soil is of less Importance than the
culture given, as general thing. Thor
ough culture, deep and fine, together
with good manuring, are the essentials.
When TO Plant.--This question must
be decided by the market proposed. If
the pickles are to be grown to sell at the
pickle factory, or you make them up
yourself, it will do to plant as early as
the middle of June, when you can begin
to gather and market about the first OF
August, and the factory will take them
right along; it takes, usually, six to eight
weeks from planting before the pickles
will grow to suitable size for gathering.
If you are to depend upon families to
take your crop, the last week in June OIL
first in July will be early enough for
planting, as most all housekeepers pre-
fer to wait till the beginning of cool wea-
Their before commencing to lay down
,neir pickles.
Hon. to Pldnt.-My own preference is
TO plant in hills, although some prefer
planting in continuous rows. In the
first, the pickles may be more easily gath
cred with less liability of injury to the
vines. Planted in hills, the rows should
be four feet apart and the hills one foot
farther between and in quincunx order.
thus best equalizing the distribution of
the crop. The ground may be marked
off with one-horse plow, and the hills
spaced by the eye when putting out the
manure, of which full shovel should be
put to each hill. Well decomposed com.