Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-07-06

CUCuMBERS ARE SAFE PRODUCT
be oggy. In drought periods the vines
Sd olld be watered daily. but this ap-
pills. TO garden products generally as
We rs TO cGcumbers. If the ground is
not considered just right il is advisable
10 GSe we'll rotted manup In the hills
be pre- planting. The best way is TO
US well fortified land that was plow-
ed IA the fan. adding little barnyard
manure 10 the cucumber hills as they
are formed. Have the soil worked
down fine with harrow or rake and
mark out ia checks at least four feet
each way. Many prefer FIVE or six
feet. 1t Is easier TO cultivate check
rows than single rows. The hill sys-
tenn IS preferred because II gives plants
more leaf surface. Better drainage Is
also secured in case OF excessive rains.
-Four to six seeds should be dropped
I'm each hill and lightly covered with
soil. In case Of unfavorable weather
or uneven growth additional paintings
may be made Second and third plant
ings can also be made for prolonging
the marketing of cucumbers and for
raising pickle stock. In order to get an
early start seeds may be planted In "A
hotbed OF moderate temperature or in
window pots in the dwelling. Planting
In the open ground is 10 be deferred
until the soil Is I'm nice order and dan
ger from frost is over. Whatever
transplanting is necessary should be
done in the evening.
Those who are engaged in this line
OF gardening on an extensive scale
should consult the owners of pickle
factories as TO prices and time Of mar
keting. The pickle companies some
times prefer to furnish the seed. When
q large crop Is 10 be raised the cultiva-
ton can be with an ordinary two horse
corn cultivator. Planting In drills
seems to be the easier method, In the
opinion OF some. but the majority Of
experts think that results are better
with the hill system. a corn planter
may be used If desired. and the plants
may be thlnned out as they develop.
Seed IS generally used at the rate OF
one ounce to fifty hills.
Insects are often troublesome In GU
cumber growing. For cutworms use
poisoned bran about four inches from
where the plants are coming through.
For striped beetle dust frequently with
plaster, which acts as repellent
Hellebore powder IN water is also eff
fective I'm destroying the striped bug.
During the picking season the vines
are gone over regularly at short inter
walls and the cucumbers removed as
soon as they attain marketable size.
This will prevent any check In the
growth OF vines and increase the num-
Der of cucumbers that can be secured.
One of the most delicious vegetables
Is watercress. and yet few farmers or
gardeners are trying TO utilize the deli
cacy. No other product grows into
money easier or with less trouble. II
grows wild in running brooks, in
bitches or around fresh ponds. AL
that is demanded for the raising OF
cress is pure water. Plant seeds in
the soft earth at the edge of the wa
ter. The plants will soon fill the bed
Of the stream or pond. After estab-
fishing the growth OF watercress IL Is
available for use In March and through
out the season. \ large sale can be
worked up in any town.
Corn salad is a paying winter prod
uct, the small leaves being served like
lettuce during the cool fall and early
winter months. IL is used for garnish
ing meat dishes and is in good de
mand Plant late I'm the summer for
fall and winter use. It Is quite hardy
and a little protection with leaves WI
carry II safely through the winter