Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-02-06
PICKLE RAISING
VERY PROFITABLE,
Light Work and Brings Quick
Returns for the Labor.
(Ricby1oDd Tr,0ssl

(Richmond Iimes)
FALMOUTH, VA, Jan. 17.-As an
opportunity for men of small means,
few acres and lack of practical
knowledge, it is questionable whether
any business in the world offers such
a chance for a man to make money
as the growing of cucumbers for
pickles, where the ground Is adapted.
1t is a healtbful remuneratiye busi-
ness that it does not take years to
build up, but gives quick return
of money and enables man to sup
port family from the start. 1t is
business that requires no experience
to start in, that will yield large
and steady revenue in three months
after the fret furrow is turned in the
spring and furnishes light work
during the most pleasant season of
the year, enabling man to rest
during the more inclement winter
months. Some idea of the small
amount of capital necessary to start
in the business can be realized when
1t is known the pickle factories will
furnish seed and fertilizer on time,
to be paid for after the crop is
marketed, and lend barrels to the
farmers to pack the pickles in, and
the agricultural machinery required
In the work is mere nothing in
comparison with that required to run
an all around farm.
The fruits of other plants are
used to a small extent as pickles;
but it is the cucumber that is used
principally for this purpose. Cucum-
bers are grown in many parts of the
United States. but it is of the growth
and possibilities of the pickle,grow.
ing industry which finds it's princi-
pal outlet through Fredericksburg,
that this article will principally treat.
Accurate statistics in reference 10 the
production Of cucumbers are very
meagre. But even the limited avail
able statistics are very encouraging
to Virginia pickle-growers. In 1899,
the only year for which an accurate
record is at hand, there were plante
in cucumbers 1891 acres for fresh
food and pickles in the United States.
with production of 5,2S6,252 BUSH
els, or an average of 1861 bushels
per acre. In the State of Virginia
there were planted 1908, with pro.
duction of 315,45S bushels, or an
average of 1868 bushels per acre.
Virginia raised 313 bushels per acre
above the general average, a fact
worthy of note by those studying the
possibilities of pickle-growing in the
Old Dominion.
While the pickle-growing industry
is steadily gaining footholds in other
counties of Tidewater Virginia, it is
probably in the most fourishing con-
dition in Stafford county. BY very
conservative estimate ninety-seven per
cent. of the farms in this county are
to-day growing cucumbers for the
pickle-buyers, from few square rods
to several acres each. Also in all parts
of Spotsylvania and King George
counties, where they have tried it,
farmers have found that pickles can
be successfully and profitably pro-
duced.
CHARACTER OF SOIL.
Outside of the fertile river and
creek bottoms the soil of Stafford is
of a thin sandy nature that does not
yield very heavy crops of corn, wheat,
tobacco or grass and until the pickle
industry assumed such proportions
the products of the forest yielded
the largest income. A few years ago
small patch around the house was
farmed in a half-hearted sort of
way, while most of the land was left
in standing timber as it seemed to
produce a great revenue in the way
of railroad ties, tan bark, cord-wood,
hoop poles, wagon spokes, lumber,
etc., than by clearing it off and rails
ing staple crops; but to-day the in
dustries are different, for from small
beginnings pickle-growing has in
creased in Importance until Stafford
county probably grows two-thirds of
the pickles shipped out of the State
of Virginia.
HOW To CULTIVATE.
The most approved method of cul-
tiyation for cucumbers is by turning
over the ground early in the spring
with two or three-horse pillow to q
depth or six or eight inches, although
a one-horse plow is much in evidence
and also shallower plowing; but deep
plowing imparts greater drouth re-
sisting properties to the vines. After
finely pulverizing the soil with a
harrow, sometimes aided BY q roller,
the ground is marked out in opposite
directions with parallel rows four feet
apart each way. In each cross is
dropped a small quantity of fertilizer,
which is covered with six inches of
earth, by the most successful pickle
growers. Various kinds of fertilizer.
commercial and homemade, have
been pretty thoroughly tested, but
the best results have been obtained
by using the droppings of the poultry
yard, where these are available. On
each hill thus formed seven or eight
cucumber seeds are dropped and
gently pressed under the soil by the
fingers. Before the plants have
grown to any great size they are
thinned down to two or three to each
hill. Two workings with the horse
cultivators and one with hoes is the
usual method of cultivation. Some
years insects bother, and lime, ashes
and various insect powder are used
to scare them away; but experienced
pickle-growers agree that where Gu
cumbers are planted upon sod and
cultivated as soon 'as four leaves are
| farv,a1 fha Ian,a~a lo~o L.