Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1869 — Pinching encumber Vines. [ARTICLE]

Pinching encumber Vines.

I had a narrow border, not more than tyo and a half feet wide, on the edge of a paved yard, enclosed by a high fence. I planted three encumber hills in the border, and laid some brush (such as is used for pea-vines,) between them and the fence. As soon as they crept up to the top of the brush, I pinched off the ends of the vine which thickened rapidly around the roots, and in every direction, throwing out the most vigorous foliage and prpfupion of I did net-aflgn^the cucumbers to grow, but watched them, and such as I wished to reserve for, the table I picked as soon as they beeame ‘of proper size i all the rest were gathered every day for pickles ; every day pinching off the bud at the end of each shoot. In this way the hill continued. fresh and productive until they Gere touched by frost. Some judgment can be formed of the value of this practice when I add that more than a barrel of .pickles were made from three hills, besides allowing a supply for the table. Whenever the leaf began to look rusty or yellowish, it was removed, and every cucnmber and the leaf were cut off with large scissors, so as not. to disturb or wound the vine. There is an advantage in having them run up on brush instead of trailing over the ground; because they are much injured by being trodden on, and by 6i the bushes they can be easily and thoroughly examined every day, which is essential, because if cucumbers are dterlooked, and grow W fetter I*9*o* frajaeUAif that rine. — Cor. Herticuliufitt. »