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

post, stable and muck manure are the
best; fresh manures are not so good for
the crop. If planted in continuous rows
the rows should be laid off 6 feet apart.
and the manure strewed along in the
drill; cover the manure with one to two
inches of fine soil, and on that scatter
the seed in continuous row, and cover,
according as the soil may be, from one
half to three-fourths of an inch. Plant
ed in hills, cover the manure the same,
and on that scatter 10 to 20 seeds, and
cover with fine soil free of all obstruc-
tions, finishing by compacting with the
back of the hoe. 1t will require about
24 pounds Of seed to plant an acre in
rows, and little less il planted in hills,
where seed is used literally, to guard
against insects destroying the crop.
VdrietieS. All things considered, the
Green Cluster is the best variety, not only
for the producer, but also for the consul
mer; they make short, thick and ten
der pickle. Some will tell you that they
prefer the Long Green; but l know that
l can grow two or three times as many
Green Clusters to the acre as l can of
Long Green; and also that when picked
no inconsiderable portion of each Long
Green pickle is tough and unpalatable,
however much more inviting they may
| AOOh3 DCllS lOIS tu0 DlCuuCIs l. u6 dlGtll
Cluster can be produced at about one
half the cost of the Long Green, they
being so much more productive in num-
bers.
CultirdtiOn.-It is important that the
vines grow fast and be productive; and
in order to do this it is essential to stir
and keep the soil fresh around the plants,
and all weeds kept down; this is done
with the cultivator and hoe. Plaster
and good wood ashes scattered over and
around the plants, have a good effect to
stimulate growth and keep off insects.
The cucumber apparently feeds largely
on water, and by keeping the soil loose
and mellow, water and air are freely adj
mitted to be taken up by the roots.
| When the vines begin to run, care must
be exercised to avoid tearing or crushing
them, as all injury tends to diminish
yield. When the plants attain their
rough leaves, begin to thin, and when
they fall over to run, leave only four, or
at most five, to the hill to grow.
Gathering the CrOp.-SOme would call
this an easy task; but if to stOop and
straighten up for step or two, and this
to he repeated for hours at the stretch,
at the same time carrying along bas-
ket partially to quite full of pickles, is
easy, then gathering the crop is an easy
task. Short and light persons will usu-
ally work at the least disadvantage. A
small, sharp knife is needed to cut the
! pickle from the vine, and about half an
| inch of stem is left to each pickle. The
smaller the pickle that will suit the Gus
| toner the more profit to the producer.
The pickles should he gathered as often
as every other day to prevent their grow
ing too large in size; and then, unless
carefully looked after, some will escape
till overgrown, which is not only loss
of that number, but also tends to dimin-
ish the after production of the plant. 1t
is well to assert the pickles into two or
more sorts, according to size, as some
! prefer small, while others are better
suited with Urge, and all prefer nearly
even size. Throw out all defective and
ill-shaped ones, as they will only detract
from the rest.
Value Of the Cr0p.-There are so many
contingencies to be considered, that any
estimate of the average of the crop may
prove wide of the result. The yield, aft.
ected by the length and temperature of
the season, size of the pickle and the
price, in different markets and seasons.
governs the gross receipts, although
these receipts probably vary but little in
different seasons in the same market.
The gross numbers from an acre will va
ny according to circumstances of season.
culture, &c., from $4,000 to 100000 and
the price accordingly. The good cult
vator can calculate upon an average
gross receipt of 5000 to $3.50 per acre, of
which oue-half is profit.